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Frontispiece. 

LEO RETURNS TO HIS MOTHER. 

“ .My Mdtlier ! “My dear, dear Son ! ” p. 231. 




Whom the Lord Loveth He Chasteneth. 


j HE yiDYENTURES 

OF 

Leo Rembrandt 


From the G-ermarr, 
I 



FKANZ HOFFMAN. 


By lewis henry STEINER. 




/ 






PHILADELPHIA: 

REFORMED CHURCH PUBLICATION BOARD, 

61 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 




T2.T 


C?sCis6' 


BOOK IS PUBLISHED BY THE. 

I 



^Utt4atj-^di00l 

OF THE 

AL.L_ SOULS CONOREGATION 



Of the I^eformed Church, 

ALLEGHENY CITY, PA. 



1 


Entered, according to Act of Congress in the year 1869, by the 
REFORMED CHURCH PUBLICATION BOARD, 

In the Clerk’s OfiBce of the District Court for the Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania. 


) 


JAS. B. EODGERS CO., 

KLECTBOTVPEBS AND PBINTEBS, 

PHILADELPHIA. 



) 


ONTENTS . 


CHAPTER I. 

THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH 5 

CHAPTER II. 

A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT 25 

CHAPTER III. 

LEAVING HOME 45 

CHAPTER IV. 

MARTIN THE PILOT 65 

CHAPTER V. 

THE EAVESDROPPER 80 

CHAPTER VI. 

CONRAD ELSHOFT 96 


III 


IV 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER VII. 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION 104 

CHAPTER VIIL 

THE BEAR HUNT 132 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE BOAT .“.... 164 

CHAPTER X. 

THE HERMITS 190 

CHAPTER XI. 

CAPTAIN BERTRAM 211 

CHAPTER XII. 

CONCLUSION 227 




THE ADVEHTUEES 


OF 

Leo Rembrandt. 


CHAPTER 1. 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 



ULL lustily, William, — more to 
the right, that we may keep 
away from the sand, — so, my lad ! There, 
now, we have brought in all our fish 
safely. 

Mother will be delighted, when we 
get home ; she need have no care now for 
a whole week. At the very lowest I can 

5 


6 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


sell them for three dollars in Bremen, 
because some of them are splendid fel- 
lows. Only look at this haddock, Willy ! 
It alone will weigh nine or ten pounds, 
and there are other large fellows, with a 
quantity of codfish besides. It may be 
that I shall get even more than three 
dollars for them. 

Fasten the chain, Willy ! You need 
only wind it a couple of times around the 
stake and fasten the hook. That’s it — 
now help me to carry the fish to the 
house.” 

The speaker was a stout, handsome 
lad, about eighteen years of age, who had 
been out fishing on the sea with Willy, 
his younger brother. The whole appear- 
ance of the boat, the nets lying in a heap, 
the costume of the two handsome lads, 
showed plainly enough that they followed 
the business of fishing, and were neither 
unskillful nor unsuccessful. They loaded 
themselves with their spoils, and Willy 
was about to take the oars along, when 
his brother prevented him, saying : 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 7 

Let them be. Early in the morning 
I must go to Bremen, and no one will 
come during the night to take the oars 
away ; at least I wouldn’t advise any one 
to do it.” 

Willy threw the oars back into the 
boat, and stepped out spryly on to the 
beach, after his brother, and then turned 
to the right, where a small, pleasant- 
looking, one-story house, covered with red 
tiles, was in full view. 

Dear reader, have you ever seen a 
house so neat, so tasteful, so attractive* 
in a word so home-like, that you said to 
yourself: ^^Oh that it were mine? I 
could spend a whole lifetime there !” 
This little house, which the brothers 
were approaching, was one of that kind. 

The sun was just going down, and the 
lower edge of its disc had nearly reached 
the surface of the sea. The whole sky 
was covered with a clear, transparent, 
warm ruddiness, which was reflected up- 
wards, from the placid waters, as from a 
mirror. Some cloudlets of a roseate hue 


8 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


floated slowly through the transparent 
atmosphere, and over the bright waters 
of the sea were gliding a few ships, whose 
wide-spread sails of dazzling brightness 
stood out against the purple-clad heavens 
in the west like gigantic swans, softly 
but swiftly moving over the flashing 
waves. 

The last rays of the sun lay like a 
broad, polished sword-blade on the sur- 
face of the water, and thence shone away 
off, as though sending a parting greeting 
to the little house, which looked down 
from the high bank far over the sea. Its 
brightly-polished windows flashed bril- 
liantly in the sun s rays, while the daz- 
zling light was somewhat subdued so as 
to be pleasant and grateful to the. eye, by 
the broad leaves of the wild grape-vines, 
which covered the front up to the eaves, 
and encased the windows with their rich 
green. 

It was in the first half of the beautiful 
month of May, and all the verdure of the 
trees, the shrubs and the budding plants 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 


9 


in the garden, was refreshingly bright 
and lovely. The little house lay right 
in the midst of this verdure. A magni- 
ficent linden shaded it with its powerful 
branches ; the garden lay behind, stretch- 
ing out, on both sides, far beyond the 
walls of the house, with its arbor of 
elder-bushes, and thicket of red-flowering 
honey-suckles, purple lilacs and white 
snow-balls; and a little grove of birch 
trees formed the background, with their 
slender, silver- white stems, tender shoots 
and millions of bright, green leaves, whis- 
pering in the evening breeze. Over this 
perfectly lovely picture the setting sun 
cast its light, and wove its parting rays 
into the luxuriant foliage, like threads of 
gold in delicate, green tapestry. 

Yes, it was a pretty house ! Small, in- 
deed, and limited in its accommodations, 
but still large enough for its contented 
occupants — the good mother Martha, and 
her sons, Leo and Willy. But it was the 
magnificent location, with the far-reach-* 
ing view of the glorious ocean, and its 


10 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


continual changes and manifold beauties, 
which made it appear, at first glance, so 
charming and home-like. 

Leo laid his burden down in front of 
the house, and wiped the perspiration 
from his brow. 

Take the fish into the house, Willy,” 
he said to his brother. I will go down 
again and bring the nets. But tell mo- 
ther that I shall be back presently. Do 
you hear?” 

Willy nodded, and Leo went with a 
quick step back to the shore. At the 
bend of the road, he met an elderly man, 
dressed in black, who, greeting him with 
a slight inclination of the head, inquired : 

Does Frau Martha Kembrandt live in 
the little house above ?” 

Leo looked sharply at the stranger, and 
hesitated with his answer, not from want 
of courtesy, but because he asked himself 
this question : What can this man want 
with my mother ?” 

• Well, are you dumb, or don’t you 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 11 

know who lives there?” cried the stranger 
somewhat impatiently. 

I should certainly know where my 
mother lives/' replied Leo. ^^Only go 
right up ; if she is not in the house you 
will find her in the garden. Willy will 
show you. I would go back with you 
myself, but you see, I must fetch my nets 
and hang them up to dry, or they will 
rot for me.” 

The stranger made no answer, but 
struck the path to the house, while Leo 
went quickly down the steep slope to the 
shore, threw the heavy nets, without 
much efibrt, over his powerful shoulders, 
and as quickly returned to the house. 
He was very curious as to the business 
that brought the stranger to his mother s 
house, and felt like delaying the hanging 
up of his nets to dry until a later hour. 
But duty was to be done before any thing 
else. With swift hands he began his 
task, and finished it in a few minutes. 
Then he entered the house quickly, and. 


12 LEO REMBRANDT. 

finding Willy in the front room, asked 
after his mother and the stranger. 

He is out in the arbor,” replied Willy. 

Do you know what brought him 
there ?” 

No, Leo. But I saw that his pockets 
were full of papers, all of which he 
spread out on the table there.” 

^^Ah ha ! I must see after him,” said 
Leo. The man doesn’t please me ; he 
was very short with me, when I met him 
on my way for the nets. I hope that he 
will not give mother any trouble, or he 
will find that I shan’t taniely bear it.” 

^^Oh, stay here, Leo,” begged Willy. 

Mother sent me out of the garden when 
the stranger came, and she wouldn’t be 
pleased if you went out. But see, I be- 
lieve he is going already.” . 

You are right, he is !” said Leo, look- 
ing out of the window. Now I will ask 
mother at once, what wind brought him 
here.” 

Leo went quickly into the garden. 
There the mother was still sitting 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 13 

in the arbor, not employing her hands in 
busy work as was her c-ustom, but deeply 
absorbed in thought and supporting her 
head sadly on her hands. The net which 
she had evidently been knitting during 
the afternoon, lay half finished by her 
side, and before her, spread out upon the 
table, was a large document upon which 
she was gazing sadly. When Leo came 
up to her quickly, she screamed and tried 
to conceal the paper from him. But he 
had already seen it, and observed the ex- 
pression of deep sadness, which was un- 
mistakably stamped upon the mild coun- 
tenance of his mother. 

What is the matter, my good moth- 
er ?” said Leo, astonished. You are 
weeping. What did the stranger want 
with you ? If he has insulted you — he 
can’t be far away, I will go after him and 
make him apologize on his knees to you.” 

No, oh no, Leo,” replied the mother, 
seizing her son’s hand. The man is not 
the cause of my grief. He only per- 
formed his duty in bringing me sad and 


14 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


very painful tidings. Let him go in peace, 
my son.” 

^^And what kind of tidings were they ?” 
asked Leo. “ They must have been very 
painful since they have drawn tears from 
your eyes. Dearest mother, don’t conceal 
anything from me ! You know that you 
can trust me.” 

It would be of no use, even if I were 
willing to conceal it from you, my good 
son !” replied the mother. In a few 
weeks you would learn the whole, and the 
stroke would be only the more difficult for 
you to bear if you were not prepared for 
it. Leo ! a bad man, who has already 
greatly wronged not only me but your 
sainted father also, wants now to seize 
our last possession — this little house, and 
to plunge us mercilessly into misery.” 

Leo was shocked, but, recovering him- 
self, said, Who is this man ? Has he 
the right to deprive us of our property ? 
If he has not right and law upon his side, 
mother, he shall first have to deal with 


me. 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 15 

“ He has the power, my dear son, the 
power, although I still doubt whether he 
has the right,” answered the mother, and 
shook her head sorrowfully and hopeless- 
ly. The law has already decided once 
in his favor, and I fear that, in the pres- 
ent case, it would not decide to his disad- 
vantage. Oh, he might take all, — except 
this little house. This is our last place 
of refuge. Here we have lived for so 
many years in quiet contentment. — All 
except this garden, in which your poor 
father sleeps the sleep of death. It will 
break my heart if I must leave it, — if I 
can pray no more at his grave, — if I dare 
with flowers no more decorate the place 
where his mortal remains repose.” 

No, never shall any one drive you 
away from this place, mother, if I can 
prevent it,” said Leo, deeply moved. 

He must be a bad man, indeed, who can 
reconcile himself to the thought of robbing 
a widow of her last possession. But how 
dare he do it, mother ? The house and 
the garden belong to you !” 


16 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


believed and hoped they did, my 
son,” replied the mother, but the stranger, 
who has just taken his leave, has deprived 
me of that hope. 

Listen, Leo, it is a sorrowful story, 
but I may just as well tell you now as at 
another time. Your father was, as you 
are aware, a shipmaster, owning a small 
house in Bremen, and a river boat which 
enabled him to earn his bread honestly. 
Oh that he had not been deluded by the 
desire of improving the humble position 
in which we were living so contentedly 
and happily ! But when you were only 
seven years old and Willy but five, the 
tempter came to your father. He proposed 
that your father should sell his river boat 
and devote the proceeds to the purchase of 
a sea-going vessel. He ofiered to furnish 
the additional amount of money needed 
in purchasing such a vessel, and they 
were to carry on the business in partner- 
ship. 

The offer seemed sufficiently attractive. 
Your father accepted it, and made a great 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 17 

deal of money indeed in the new busi- 
ness. A portion of his profits was de- 
voted to the purchase of this house and 
garden, so that he might have accommo- 
dations for himself when loading or un- 
loading his freight, and as the situation of 
the little house and the beautiful country 
around it pleased me very much, we were 
in the habit of spending the whole sum- 
mer here. 

But, it happened, as you recollect 
very well, that your father was taken 
sick. He was obliged to entrust the com- 
mand of his vessel to other hands, and it 
along with its freight was destroyed in a 
fearful storm at sea. When this informar. 
tion was communicated to your father, 
he was alarmed, but did not lose his 
spirits. ‘ The loss is not as great as it 
seems,’ he said to me. ^The vessel and 
freight were insured at their full value, 
and with industry the loss may be re- 
paired in a year. Oh, that I were only 
well again !’ This wish of your father 
was never attaijied, in accordance with 
2 


18 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


the inscrutable designs of God.. Whether 
your father was more affected by the in- 
formation of the loss of the vessel than 
he manifested to us, or from some other 
cause— God only knows — ^his sickness in- 
creased. The fever increased fearfully, 
he lost his reason and, within a few weeks 
after the loss of the vessel, God called 
him to Himself. 

“ That was a heavy, sad, sorrowful 
hour for me, Leo ! You and your brother 
were still too young to feel the severity 
of the stroke, but it fell with all its 
weight upon me, so that I almost sank 
under it. I was only enabled to sustain 
it by the consciousness that it was my 
first duty to care for you, his orphans. 

This loss, however, was not enough. 
God wished to lay upon me a still greater 
trial, and another blow followed, of which 
I had not the slightest suspicion. 

In accordance with the words of your 
sainted father, I supposed that we should 
be spared the great care of securing means 
for our support. The lost vessel had been 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 19 

insured, and the half of its value should 
be paid over to me. In addition to this, 
we should have the house in Bremen, and 
this little house in which we now live. 
Some weeks passed by, without my receiv- 
ing any information from your father’s 
business-partner. At length I wrote to 
him, and begged that he would send me 
the amount that I should have for you 
and Willy. 

“ He answered me very briefly, that I 
had not the slightest claim upon him, in- 
asmuch as, although the lost vessel had 
been insured, it had been done at his own 
expense, and not at that of your father, 
on which account he would retain the 
whole amount of the insurance. More- 
over, he asserted that he had other claims 
upon your father, and if I did not refrain 
from disturbing him, he would seize upon 
your father’s estate. Well, I considered 
it my duty to seek the advice of a lawyer, 
but, alas ! he gave me little hope. 

^ The man is a villain !’ said he. ^No 
one believes that the vessel was insured 


20 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


at his sole expense, and he would not 
have made such an assertion if your hus- 
band had been alive. Nevertheless he 
will keep the money, because he can un- 
doubtedly establish his statement as true. 
He who deviates from the path of right 
for the sake of Mammon, will always find 
ways and means to complete his fraud, 
and an earthly judge is seldom, or never, 
able to bring him to account. It is true 
he can never escape the Heavenly Judge.’ 

^ But what shall I do ?’ I asked the 
lawyer. 

We agreed to institute a suit at law 
against the dishonest man, which resulted 
as we had feared. The swindler produced 
papers, whose genuineness he established, 
which caused the judge to decide in his 
favor, although at heart he was convinced, 
like the rest of us, that a shameful fraud 
had been committed. The scorn with 
wliich the swindler was treated, had such 
an effect upon him, that he did not dare 
to press the pretended claims that he as- 
serted he held against the estate of your 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 21 

father. These he withdrew, but I was 
compelled to sell the Bremen house, in 
order to pay the costs of the suit and to 
take care of you, my children, until you 
were old enough to earn your bread by 
your own industry. With God’s help I 
succeeded in this. 

The money has long since been ex- 
hausted, but the business of fishing, which 
you undertook, my good Leo, has thus far 
kept us free from all anxiety on the score 
of food. We could have continued to 
live happily and peacefully together, but 
that this villain again wishes to destroy 
our peace. He claims that your father 
owed him three hundred dollars, and says 
that if I do not pay him that amount he 
will have the house, garden and every- 
thing belonging to us sold. 

This is the information which the 
man, who was just here, gave me. On 
account of it I have been greatly troubled, 
for the law will decide in favor of the 

dishonest man, and we we shall be 

thrown, helpless and without means, out 


22 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


upon the highway. Oh, heavenly Father ! 
What will become of us, should they take 
away the boat, the nets — the means we 
have employed to protect us from distress 
and suffering?” 

Mother, that shall never be done as 
long as I live !” said Leo, firmly clench- 
ing his teeth. I would like to see the 
man who can tear my property away from 
me , — my property, I say, for the boat and 
nets are mine, honestly earned by the 
labor of my hands. Don’t grieve, mother ! 
To-morrow I will row to the city, and 
will find out there what is to be done. 
Only tell me the name of the lawyer who 
took charge of your case before, and that 
of the miserable fellow who swindled you. 

I must know both, mother, so that I can 
act !” 

The courageous lawyer’s name was 
Liborius, who lives near the Town Hall — 
any child can show you where,” replied the 
mother. The other man was Elshoft, 
the shipmaster, your father’s nearest rela-_ 
tive.” 


THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH. 23 

Elshoft ! Mother !” cried out Leo, 
astonished. Ah, now all is clear to me. 
This is the reason why I was not allowed 
to call upon our relative, when I went to 
Bremen. But why, mother, did you keep 
the injury which this man did us, so long 
concealed from me ?” 

To preserve your youthful heart from 
untimely hatred, my son !’' replied the 
mother. You ought never to have 
learned how many bitter hours, how 
many sorrowful, tearful nights that man 
caused me. He should have been your 
guardian and Willy’s, after your father’s 
death; but, turning a deaf ear to the 
voice of nature, your nearest blood-rela- 
tion has been the cause of our bitterest 
sufferings.” ^ 

Leo stood a long time in deep thought, 
leaning silently against one of the posts 
of the arbor. Then he said : 

Don’t despair, mother! The plans 
of the wicked are often brought to shame 
by Him, who is the Father of the father- 
less, and a Judge of the widows. Let us 


24 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


pray that God will support us in our 
need, and will not suffer lies to triumph 
over truth. However this man’s claim 
may be decided, you shall retain the 
house and garden as long as you live. 
You may rely upon that, mother !” 

In vain the distressed woman urged her 
son to tell her by what plan he proposed 
to avert the stroke which threatened 
them. Leo kept it secret, but repeated 
his assurances, and by his confident man- 
ner comforted the oppressed heart of his 
mother. When the shades of evening 
came on, and a cool wind blew from the 
sea, she gathered up her work and went 
with Leo into the house. He remained 
quiet and reserved all the evening, al- 
though one could see that he was forming 
some plan which might be effectual in 
overthrowing the wicked designs of Herr 
Elshoft. 


CHAPTER IL 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 

STEAMBOAT, with whose cap- 
tain he was acquainted, having 
taken 'Leo’s boat in tow, he found himself, 
about noon of the next day, in Bremen. 
His trip had been both quick and pleasant. 
Soon after his arrival, his fish were sold 
at a good price, and he went to ask the 
advice of Herr Liborius about Herr 
Elshoft. The house was readily found, and 
Herr Liborius listened attentively and 
patiently while he was making his state- 
ment. Then, the lawyer took Elshoft’s 
account, examined it, and shook his head. 

This claim is like that made, eight or 
nine years ago,” he said. I would stake 
any amount upon it that the claim is 
fraudulent, but the scoundrel will gain 

25 




26 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


his case as soon as it comes to trials be- 
cause the only person who could expose 
his false statements, your sainted father, 
cannot come back from the other world. 
Nevertheless, Leo, I will undertake the 
case. We shall have to run the risk of 
his swearing falsely as he did before. 
Perhaps his hardened conscience may be 
so touched that he will renounce his pre- 
tended claim, when he finds that we are 
not frightened by his threats.” 

No, no ; that he will never do ; he is 
too greedy for that !” said Leo. It is 
better that I get the money and pay 
him !” 

So that he may come again in a few 
years and demand probably a thousand 
dollars instead of three hundred,” said 
Herr Liborius. God forbid ! This ras- 
cality must be so dealt with, that these 
three hundred shall be the last he can 
squeeze out of you. Only let me manage 
the business, my lad ! Tell the untruth- 
ful, deceitful fellow, to come to me in case 
he persists in his fraudulent claim.” 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 27 

“ But if it should come to trial, the ex- 
pense will be very great,” said Leo, mod- 
estly. And I don’t believe that I can 
raise more than three hundred dollars.” 

Don’t let that trouble you, my son,” 
replied Herr Liborius, tapping Leo plea- 
santly upon the shoulder. That expense 
I will bear. Your sainted father, during 
his lifetime, did me many a favor and 
many a good service, and as far as it lies 
in my power, I wish to reciprocate these 
to his children. Let us be quiet on that 
point. But tell me now, my dear fellow, 
where will you get the three hundred 
dollars which this villain demands of 
you ?” 

Leo was somewhat reluctant to answer, 
but Herr Liborius urged him so earnestly 
that finally he opened his heart and com- 
municated his plan to his sympathizing 
friend. 

^^My neighbor Stefien Kohrteich told 
me,” said Leo, that Herr Melchior 
Bunkendorf, a wealthy Bremen merchant, 
has fitted out a large new vessel, which 


28 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


he proposes to send, this summer, to the 
whale fishery, but that he is still in need 
of sailors. Steffen said, Herr Bunkendorf 
had offered excellent inducements to men 
who would go on the northern voyage. 
Now I intend to offer myself as one of his 
crew, if it is true that each one will re- 
ceive three hundred dollars in gold, on 
his return from the Arctic Ocean.” 

Hum ! Hum !” muttered Herr Libo- 
rius — then, for love of your mother, you 
would encounter the cold, the ice, and 
the hears of the North ! But, see, my 
lad! that is very good of you, and it 
pleases me very much; but indeed you 
are altogether too young to endure such 
hardships, and to undergo such perils. 
And, moreover, who will take care of 
your mother, while you are away ?” 

Willy ! my Brother Willy quickly 
replied Leo. He is a good fellow — and 
already a pretty skillful fisherman. Be- 
sides he is old enough, for he will be 
seventeen at his next birthday. No : I 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 29 . 

have no fear for mother, while Willy 
stays with her.” 

^*But will your mother consent that 
you should leave her, for the purpose of 
exposing yourself to such great perils ?” 
inquired Herr Liborius, deliberately 
shaking his head. voyage to the 

coast of Greenland is no child’s play, Leo, 
and I fear lest you may repent a rash 
resolution, when it will be too late to re- 
trace your steps.” 

I will not repent it, should it even 
cost my life,” answered Leo. No, no, 
my good mother, who has already endured 
so much sorrow, shall not, in addition, 
lose the little property which she holds 
so dear to her heart. I am strong and 
healthy, Herr Liborius, and, I believe, am 
not without a courageous, persevering 
spirit. Be the cold never so fierce, the 
danger that shall surround me never so 
great, the sufferings that I must undergo 
never so bitter; I shall bear them all 
cheerfully, if I can only succeed in drying 
my mother’s tears. Yes, I would rather 


30 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


die than see her suffer. A year will soon 
pass away, my dear sir, and, if God pro- 
tects me, as I devoutly believe He will, 
I can return home with a double measure 
of happiness. Certainly, Herr Liborius, 
niy mother must be assisted, and I con- 
sider it my most pressing duty to do 
everything in my power for her.^' 

Certainly, certainly, my lad, and far 
be it from me to dissuade you from your 
plan,’’ replied Herr Liborius. Never- 
theless I fear lest your sacrifice may be 
of little use ! The voyage may be pro- 
tracted, misfortune may happen to the 
vessel and crew, and God may so order it, 
that you yourself will not return alive. I 
do not fear that He will withhold His 
mighty aid in so good and bold an under- 
taking, but on the contrary, believe that 
He will give it. Still, my dear lad, it is 
proper to consider the possibility of an 
unfavorable termination. Suppose, now, 
you should not return ? Your pay would 
then be lost, and your mother would lose 


A GOOD DEED BEADS GOOD FRUIT. 31 

a brave son^ whose strong arm could pro- 
vide for the evening of her life.’’ 

That is true, and I have also thought 
of it,” replied Leo, gently and sadly. ‘^But, 
my dear sir,” he added more boldly, the 
issue is in the hands of the Lord, and my 
intentions at least are good. If God 
should end my life, — well ! He can find 
other ways and means to protect my good 
mother from her great sufferings, and my 
brother Willy will never desert her, for 
he loves her as dearly as I do. But, 
Herr Liborius, I have a deep and abiding 
trust in my faithful Saviour ; and, inas- 
much as I can find no other way to secure 
my mother from the persecutions of that 
scoundrel, relying upon the care and 
goodness of God I will risk my life in 
this. Our Divine Lord will help me, Herr 
Liborius !” 

Then your resolution, Leo, is unal- 
terably fixed ?” asked Herr Liborius, feel- 
ingly. Will you bid defiance to every 
peril, every danger-will you encounter 


32 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


the terrible cold of the Norths for your 
mother’s sake ?” 

Yes, that I will ; I will shun nothing. 
I could not be hindered even by greater 
perils, if I knew that the fruit of my labor 
would inure to the benefit of my mother,” 
answered Leo, firmly. 

Well then,” said Herr Liborius, I 
am not blessed with wealth, but listen, 
my lad, to the promise I make you : that 
your mother shall not lose her house 
should you even not return from your 
Arctic voyage. I give you this assurance 
to take along with you, and you may re- 
ly upon it that old Liborius will keep his 
word. Now, come along ! I will go with 
you to Herr Bunkendorf. You are still 
very young, and perhaps he might reject 
you if you had no one to intercede for 
you. Come, come, my lad ! Herr 
Melchior Bunkendorf is a very good friend 
of mine ; and I think he will be satisfied 
with my security for your good conduct.” 

Herr Liborius put on another coat, 
took his hat and cane, and went with Leo 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 33 

to the place of business of the rich mer- 
chant in question. 

Leo was astounded on entering the 
house ; a crowd of people was there wait- 
ing to speak with Herr Bunkendorf, and 
numerous clerks, apprentices and packers 
were busily moving hither and thither. 
Amid this bustle and confusion, had he 
come alone he would have lost the heart 
to mention his business. But Herr Libo- 
rius quickly made his way through all 
the confusion, and seizing his protege by 
the hand entered a tolerably spacious 
room, where Herr Bunkendorf was sitting 
with some of his clerks at a large desk, 
engaged by turns in examining his ac- 
count books, speaking to his partners, or 
in paying out and receiving money. In 
a word, he was very busy. But when he 
spied Herr Liborius, he left everything 
else, pushed back his spectacles on his 
forehead, hastened to the Lawyer and 
shook his hand heartily. 

What wind brings you here, my dear 
friend Liborius?’’ he asked. 

3 


34 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


A wind from the North/' replied the 
lawyer, laughing. Look at this young 
lad here ! Isn’t he a handsome fellow ?” 

Herr Bunkendorf cast a rapid glance at 
Leo, and nodded assent. What does he 
want ?” he inquired. You have some 
design in bringing him with you. Can I 
aid or assist him in any way ? Out with 
it, Liborius ?” 

Missed the mark, friend,” replied the 
lawyer. It is my young friend who 
wishes to aid and assist you. That is to 
say, he wants to go North to aid you in 
catching whales.” 

Hum, hum !” muttered Herr Bunken- 
dorf, measuring Leo at the same time from 
head to foot. Leo stood the inspection 
quietly, and gazed at the merchant with 
such an ingenuous, but modest and firm 
expression of countenance, as though he 
wished to say : Only try me once, my 

dear sir. You can rest your house upon 
my fidelity, honest zeal and probity.” 

‘‘A little too young, although quite 
sound and hearty,” Herr Bunkendorf 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 35 

said in a semi-audible tone to the lawyer. 
‘^Well, let us see. Huml Liborius, there 
must be some peculiar circumstances con- 
nected with the youth, or you would not 
have brought him here. Dare you com- 
municate them, my old friend?’' 

Liborius nodded assent, took the rich 
merchant in a corner, and spoke with him 
for some time in a low tone of voice. 
Herr Bunkendorf nodded Jlnd shook his 
head, hummed frequently, pushed his 
spectacles up and down, looked repeatedly 
at Leo, and finally seized the lawyer s hand 
afiecticnately. 

Hum, hum ! The lad shall go along !" 
he said. ^^And as for his pay I can just 
as readily give it now as later. Noble 
son. Hum, hum ! Heaven will protect 
him until he returns. And if he 
shouldn’t return — hum, then it will be 
all the same, whether the expedition costs 
a few hundred dollars more or not. Get 
the money, Liborius, from my cashier, and 
settle with that rascal, Elshoft. He is a 
good-for-nothing fellow. He’ll get his pun- 


36 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


isliment after a while. Hum ! where is 
Bertram staying — it is time for him — 
Hum, ha, here he is !” 

The door opened and a broad-shouldered, 
stalwart man entered, with an open, 
pleasant, ruddy face, clear sharp eyes, and 
a gait which instantly betrayed the sailor. 
He greeted Herr Bunkendorf, who had 
beckoned to him, respectfully but with a 
species of simple-hearted self-reliance. 

^^How are you getting along with the 
Dolphin, Captain Bertram ?” he inquired. 

Is your crew made up ?’^ 

^^Almost, Governor !” replied the cap- 
tain. I have enrolled thirty merry fel- 
lows, thoroughly tough sailors, temperate, 
intelligent, healthy, and some of them al- 
ready acctfstomed to the Northern winters. 
We only need six more to complete the 
complement, and five of those Martin, my 
pilot, will bring with him to-day. I want 
to state. Governor, that I think of putting 
to sea, even if the sixth man cannot be 
secured. The time is here, and the ear- 
lier we sail, the longer our season will be. 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 37 


Every day we gain now is a hunting 
day.” 

^^Agreed, Captain Bertram !” replied 
Herr Bunkendorf. Particularly as the 
sixth man has already been found. Look 
at him, captain ! There he is.’^ 

Captain Bertram approached Leo, and 
with his clear bright eyes scrutinized his 
face. Only a little bit too young, but 
still sufficiently stout and vigorous,” he 
said. Have you ever served on ship, my 
lad T 

Up to this time, no ; although the de- 
sire to do so has not been wanting,” re- 
plied Leo. But I couldn't leave home 
because I had to take care of my 
mother.” 

Why do you wish to go now 

Because my brother Willy is large 
enough to take my place. And besides I 
can return within a year.” 

It will not take us that long,” said the 
captain. Well, if you want to go, it can 
soon be arranged. Can you go along with 
me at once ?” 


38 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


No, sir, that I cannot, for I must first 
take leave of my mother,” replied Leo. 
^^But the ship must sail past our house, 
and I can step on her there.” 

Oet on hoard, my lad !” said the cap- 
tain, laughing. Where is your house?” 

Leo described its location accurately. 

Well, get yourself in sailing trim by 
this time to-morrow. Have you an out- 
fit ready for the expedition ?” 

Leo was obliged to acknowledge, with 
blushes on his face, that he had nothing 
else to take along except some under-cloth- 
ing. 

^^And you would sail to the North pole 
in this linen jacket ?” exclaimed Captain 
Bertram. Listen, my lad, this is all 
nonsense. You had much better stay at 
home and sit snugly behind the stove in 
winter. It is impossible for you to go 
along as you are now dressed. You 
would freeze to death in the very first 
night-watch onjieck.” 

Leo became white and red alternately 
from anxiety, and he could barely keep 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 39 

from tears. It was really a fortunate cir- 
cumstance that Liborius had gone with 
him to Herr Bunkendorf’s. He looked im- 
ploringly at the lawyer, who nodded 
pleasantly in reply. 

Captain Bertram/' the latter said, 
Will you be so good as to give me a list of 
the outfit for a whale-fisher, which Leo will 
require? The purchase can be made with- 
out delay, and all the articles put on board 
the Dolphin in a few hours. If we can’t 
pay for them now, we can do so when the 
Dolphin returns and Leo draws his wages. 
Until then I shall be responsible for them; 
and so this last obstacle will be removed.” 

Agreed!” said Captain Bertram. “ But 
you seem to take great interest in the 
youth, Herr Liborius.” 

Certainly, and I have my reasons, 
which I shall communicate by and by, 
friend captain. But now we have no 
time for chatting. Leo, start off, make 
your mother easy about Elshoft’s claims — 
and, captain, you and I will buy the ar- 
ticles for the lad’s outfit.” 


40 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Agreed !” cried the Captain — ^^Nota 
hene, if my employer has no further com- 
mands for me !” 

Leo thanked Herr Bunkendorf, who re- 
plied with the remark that we must as- 
sist as far as possible in a good cause/’ 
and he then left the place of business of 
the rich merchant, in company with Herr 
Liborius and the captain. When they 
were outside the door, Liborius shook his 
hand affectionately, but the captain looked 
at him thoughtfully, and shook his head. 

Listen to me, my lad,” he said. I 
couldn’t say anything when we were with 
the Governor, because I saw that he 
wanted you to go on this whaling-voyage. 
Butsee here, since you know nothing about 
affairs at sea, and a whaling- voyage ain’t 
a rabbit hunt, let me advise you to make 
the experiment of sea-faring on some 
other vessel. You can’t go with us safely, 
my lad, and it would grieve me if you ^ 
were to sink under the hardships of the 
voyage. Stay behind, my lad, stay at 
home.” 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 41 

“ I cannot ; I dare not ; I must go f 
replied Leo. I am accustomed to the 
water, and fishing on the open sea is no 
child’s play. No, no. Captain, you can’t 
dissuade me from my design.” 

Well,” said Captain Bertram, a little 
gruffly. But you will regret that you 
didn’t follow my advice ! Come, Libo- 
rius!” 

He turned his back upon the perplexed 
lad. Liborius, however, whispered in 
the latter’s ear : Go quietly home, Leo ! 
When you get on board in the morning, 
the old sea-bear will not growl at you 
any more. Greet your mother for me, 
my lad 1” 

Leo shook the lawyer’s hand cordially 
and thankfully, and hastened away. Li- 
borius then told the captain the motives 
that induced Leo to take service in a 
whaling expedition, and this story 
changed the captain’s sentiments. 

But what a brave fellow the lad is !” 
he exclaimed. ^^And here I have been 
looking upon him as a light-headed rake, 


42 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


'who was leaving home, lika many young 
fellows who try such a voyage, simply to 
escape the supervision of his parents. 
Now I look upon the subject with other 
eyes, friend Liborius, and it is certain that 
the lad shall soon see that he has found a 
friend in me. What is the name of that 
villain who treated the poor lad’s mother 
so shamefully ?” 

Elshoft, Captain. I presume you must 
know him.” 

No, I do not know him, but I shall 
recollect the name in case I ever meet 
the scoundrel. He is called Elshoft? 
Well, I shall not forget the name. But 
we are at the place, friend Liborius, 
where we can purchase the brave boy’s 
outfit.” 

They entered a shop, and ^ secured the 
different articles. When Liborius had 
completed his purchases. Captain Bertram 
selected an elegant fur coat, paid cash for 
it and laid it with the other article. 

I will give him that,” he said, and 
I don’t consider it a superfluous article. 

/ 


A GOOD DEED BEARS GOOD FRUIT. 43 

The lad is brave, and deserves that care 
should be taken of him.” 

Liborius was as proud of the fur coat, as 
though he had presented it himself. He 
pressed the Captain’s hand warmly, and 
.^aid : ‘‘ May God reward you. Captain 
Bertram ! Here is another proof that all 
the good men under the blue canopy of 
heaven are not extinct. How the lad 
will rejoice when he learns that his 
brave spirit and his faithful piety in his 
filial love for his poor mother are es- 
teemed at their full value ! There is no 
good deed. Captain, that don’t bear its 
good fruit.” 

And no bad deed that isn’t punished, 
sooner or later by the Omniscient J udge 
on high,” replied Captain Bertram, earn- 
estly. Wait, Liborius, — even that El- 
shoft will not escape his J udge, although 
our earthly judges fail to punish him. 
And now, God bless you, my friend ! Send 
the articles on board to-day, for we will 
weigh anchor early in the morning.” 

‘^A happy voyage, Captain!” replied 


44 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


the Lawyer, shaking the brave sailor’s 
hand. May Heaven conduct you, and 
bring you back again safely and prosper- 
ously.” 

The two men separated and went in 
different directions, and many a month 
passed away before they met face to face 
again. 




CHAPTER III. 

LEAVING HOME. 


HILE Captain Bertram and Herr 
Liborius were getting Leo’s outfit 
ready, he hastened with light heart to 
the bank of the river, loosed the boat 
from the stake to which it had been tied, 
seized the oars and plied them briskly. 
Although his course was with the cur- 
rent, and Leo was no laggard, but cleft 
the water with rapid and uniform strokes 
of his oars, night closed around him be- 
fore he reached the house. 

On the way, while his boat was gliding 
lightly over the green waves, he consid- 
ered long and anxiously whether he should 
communicate frankly everything that had 
occurred to his mother, or leave secretly, 

45 




46 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


communicating his intentions only to 
Willy. He inclined at first to the former 
plan ; but when he reflected how un- 
speakably severe his departure would be to 
his affectionate mother — when he thought 
of the tears she would shed, the entreaties 
she would make to induce him to alter 
his plans, and to keep him from leaving 
her and exposing his life to the boisterous 
ocean and the severe cold of the North, 
his resolution failed him, and he resolved 
to keep all secret from her. He could 
not — he dare not remain at home any 
longer. He must go for the sake of that 
mother, who had so bitterly grieved at 
the prospect of losing her little house, 
and, moreover, he had given his solemn 
promise that he would join the ship, and 
that could not be broken for any light 
reason. 

Now, for the first time, he asked him- 
self the question, whether he had been 
right in entering upon the business before 
his mother’s consent was secured. But 
the consciousness of his good intentions 


LEAVING HOME. 


47 


comforted him in that regard, and, more- 
over, his mother had never objected' to 
the execution of «any plans hitherto pro- 
posed by him. He had been accustomed, 
for many years, to act for himself. His 
mother was always satisfied with what- 
ever he did ; and hence he had no doubt 
but that she would approve of his present 
resolution when the bitter anguish of 
separation had been overcome. 

His absence would probably not be a 
very long one. The ship might return 
before Christmas, and then the result of 
his labors would richly compensate both 
him and his mother, for the anguish of 
separation. Leo was in no sense regret- 
ting his resolution, and the nearer he 
came to his home, the more determined 
was he to let his mother know, only after 
his departure, through Willy, of the step 
that he had taken from love for her. 

When he entered the room, his mother 
and Willy were sitting by the table, on 
which was a lighted lamp, mending their 
nets. It was a lovely picture of quiet 


48 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


home life on which Leo’s eye rested, and 
sadness filled his heart as he said to him- 
self: 

This is the last evening, for a long, 
long time, that you dare spend by her 
side.” A feeling of intense anger towards 
the individual, whose unbounded greedi- 
ness was driving him away from the little 
family circle out into the world, and per- 
haps to death, was aroused in his breast. 
The anger, however, speedily disappeared, 
and his heart beat more rapidly with a 
species of noble pride, proceeding from 
the consciousness that he was always 
ready to make, with joy, the greatest 
sacrifice for the peace and comfort of his 
mother. 

This consciousness gave him strength 
to approach the family circle with a 
bright face. To his mother, who looked 
anxiously and timidly at him, he gave 
this consolation : 

Don’t trouble yourself ; my efibrts to 
circumvert the wicked plans of our perse- 
cutor have been successful.” He pressed 


LEAVING HOME. 


49 


his brother Willy’s hand, and sat down 
between him and his mother; then he 
told them how well he had sold his fish, 
and that good Liborius, the lawyer, had 
promised so to manage the mother’s case, 
that she would certainly suffer no loss. 
Leo, however, said nothing about himself, 
and concealed the fact that he was about 
to undertake a long and perilous journey, 
the very next morning. 

The pain of the approaching separation 
frequently oppressed him, and he became 
immersed in quiet thought and medita- 
tion, from which an abrupt remark of 
Willy, or a sympathetic question of his 
mother, would arouse him. Then he 
would speak quickly, laugh, joke, and 
make all kinds of fun, to conceal the 
bleeding wounds of his heart. But the 
quick eye of an affectionate mother can- 
not be so easily deceived. She remarked 
Leo’s unusual manner, and her eye often 
rested anxiously and inquiringly upon 
his face. Nevertheless she said nothing, 
and thought it would be better to inquire 

4 


50 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


about it in the morning, when they could 
be alone. Perhaps he did not wish to 
tell Willy what was oppressing his spirit, 
and that something was oppressing him 
she had no doubt. 

At length the hour for retiring had 
arrived. The cuckoo on the large, regu- 
larly ticking house-clock proclaimed, in a 
loud voice, ten o’clock. Their usual fam- 
ily worship was held, and then the mother 
arose. Leo also arose quickly, stepped 
rapidly towards her, kissed her affection- 
ately, and with a tender voice said : 

Bless me, dearest mother !” 

What troubles you, Leo ?” asked the 
mother, with like tenderness, pressing 
her son closely to her heart. Leo, you 
are certainly keeping something from me 
which has given you sorrow.” 

Yes, mother,” replied Leo — Sorrow, 
and joy also. You will know all by this 
time to-morrow, and then will you pardon 
me for what I *have done ?” 

Is it anything wicked, my son ?” in- 
quired the mother, anxiously. 


LEAVING HOME. 


51 


No, nothing wicked ; still it will give 
you, as well as myself, sorrow,’’ said Leo. 

Whatever may come from it, mother 
dear, my intentions are good, and can be 
justified in the sight of the Lord !” 

Well, then, my boy, I bless you ; and 
may the Lord bless you also,” said the 
mother, tenderly, laying her hand upon 
the curly head of her son. God judges * 
not our actions, so much as the spirit that 
prompts them. Whatever you may have ' 
done, I pardon, if it was done with good 
intent. And now sleep sweetly and 
soundly, my good Leo ! In the morning 
you will tell me all — won’t you ?” 

Yes, mother, everything will be made 
known to you in the morning,” replied 
Leo, ambiguously. Then he pressed his 
mother once more to his breast and rested 
his head upon her shoulders to conceal 
the tears that were darkening his eyes. 
At length he tore himself away, whisper- 
ing : Good night, good night, dearest 
mother !” and hurried away to his room. 

Here the tears, which he had been 


52 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


obliged to restrain, in order to keep himself 
from revealing all, flowed without re- 
straint. But he smiled amid his tears, for 
his mother had blessed him, and forgiven 
what he had done and was about to do. 
The severest trial — the parting from his 
mother — was over. And it had takei\ 
place when his mother had been pressed 
to his beating heart. 

At sunrise in the morning, while his 
mother was still softly slumbering, he 
resolved, as was his custom, to row, with 
his brother, out to fish in the sea ; and he 
would there await the Dolphin, so that 
he could get aboard her from his boat. 
He would detail his plan to Willy while 
they were waiting for the whaler, and 
charge him to make a full report to his 
mother, and to beg her to forgive him 
once more, for the step he had been forced 
to take, in order to protect her from the 
persecutions of the wicked Elshoft. 

Before he laid down on his plain bed, 
he fell upon his knees, implored the as- 
sistance of God, begged that He would, 


LEAVING HOME. 


53 


for Christ’s sake, protect his mother, and 
grant His blessing to them all. Then he 
asked the Lord to forgive him, if he had 
done wrong in undertaking the proposed 
voyage, and to protect him throughout 
its dangers and trials, for the sake of 
Jesus Christ, whose love for mankind had 
led Him to suffer and die upon the cross. 
After this he laid down and soon fell 
asleep. His conscience was at rest, and 
he looked with pleasure into the dark fu- 
ture, trusting firmly that the Almighty 
Father, who searches the hearts and tries 
the reins of the children of men, would not 
look down upon him with displeasure. 

Leo arose from his bed, before the daz- 
zling rays of the sun were quivering 
above the surface of the sea, and awoke 
his brother, who slept in the next room. 
Willy sprang up immediately, and was in 
his brother’s room in a few minutes. 

Brother,” said Leo, let us haste to 
go out upon the sea. Please go down to 
the beach at once. I will soon join you.” 

Willy started immediately, though he 


54 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


wondered why his brother had not made 
the necessary arrangements in the even- 
ing, as had. been his custom. Leo, with 
a rapid pen, wrote a few words upon a 
sheet of paper, — his last farewell to his 
mother, — folded it up and put it in his 
belt, so that he might give it to Willy for 
his mother on his return home. Then 
he left the room. But his swift feet tarried 
by the chamber, where his mother was 
sleeping, probably dreaming pleasant 
dreams, and free from the thought that 
she would not see her son again for a long, 
long time. 

He placed his ear against the door to 
listen. His mother was breathing tran- 
quilly. Leo’s heart began to throb, and 
he wanted to open the door gently, to 
creep upon tip-toes to her bed, so that he 
might for the last time stamp her picture 
upon his inmost soul. Already he had 
seized the latch and lifted it, with the 
view of carrying out his thought. But 
no ! If his mother should awake and in- 
quire what brought him there at that un- 


LEAVING HOME. 


usual hour — ^sliould his last words to her 
be — untruthful? No, no, that must not 
be. 

His remembrance of home must never 
be marred by the thought of such a sin, — 
he must be able to think of it with a 
happy guileless heart! He knelt down 
at the door, and once more implored the 
blessing of our heavenly Father upon his 
beloved mother. Then he kissed the sill 
which her feet had so often trod, and 
whispered : 

Farewell, farewell, my dearest, best 
mother !’’ He arose composed, wiped his 
eyes and crept out of the house with 
noiseless steps. He stopped, however, 
once more to pray at the grave of his 
father. Then he walked boldly towards 
the sea, over which the Sun threw its 
golden beams, and with quick steps hur- 
ried to the beach. Willy was ready to 
push off from the shore. Leo sprang 
silently into the boat, and turned its head 
towards the open sea. 

‘^Brother, shan’t we cast our nets in 


56 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


here?” said Willy, after a long silence. 

It is an excellent place for fish, as we 
discovered day before yesterday.” 

No, Willy, I don’t intend to fish to- 
day,” said Leo, plying the oars briskly. 

His brother looked at him in astonish- 
ment, shook his head, but without further 
remark plied his oars with like briskness, 
and the boat moved still further on 
towards the open ocean. Suddenly he 
threw his oars in the boat, and said : 

Willy, I have changed my mind. Yes, 
let my last work at home be devoted to 
care for our good mother.” 

But why do you speak so strangely, 
this morning ?” said Willy. “ There must 
be some queer things running through 
your brain, brother.” 

You shall hear all, and know all, 
Willy,” replied Leo. Let us only first 
finish our work.” 

Willy was a quiet, gentle soul. With- 
out asking his brother a question, he went 
boldly to work and threw out the nets. 
In a few hours their work was done. Leo 


LEAVING HOME. 


57 


then suffered the boat to rock upon the 
waves, supported his head upon his hands, 
looked thoughtfully before ];iim, and said 
suddenly : Isn’t it true, Willy, that you 
love mother no less than I do ?” 

You may well believe that,” replied 
Willy. 

And if I were not here, you would 
not leave her, but would take care of her, 
as you have heretofore done in company 
with me ?” 

I would be doubly diligent, brother, 
so as to make up for your absence,” an- 
swered Willy, frankly. ^^But are you 
going to leave us, brother ?” 

I must, I MUST,” said Leo, with em- 
phasis, in order to check any opposition 
from his brother. Listen to me, Willy, 
and you yourself will see that I must go.” 

Willy now threw down his oars also, 
and left the boat float at pleasure, paying 
attention to nothing but his brother’s 
words. Leo repeated simply and plainly 
what his mother had told him in the 
arbor, and then made known the plan he 


58 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


had determined upon in order to counter- 
act Elslioft’s base designs. 

^^And now decide, brother, whether I 
have done right,” he said, as he finished 
his statement. ^^Your heart will tell 
you whether you dare blame me, or not.” 

Willy looked at his brother with his 
bright eyes, and said, without hesitation, 
but with an expression of firm convic- 
tion : You have acted well, nobly, 

brother, and I praise you for it. If you 
were not older than I am, I would go in 
your place, but I see in this case you have 
the better right. God protect you, and 
bless you, brother ! His blessing will not 
be wanting to you. Even if I am not as 
strong and skillful as you are, it will not 
matter, for I shall be doubly more indus- 
trious than heretofore.” 

^^ But what will mother say, Willy, at 
my leaving without bidding her good 
bye?” 

She will weep, Leo ; yes, she will 
shed many a tear, but you will not fail to 
have her blessing,” answered Willy. Be- 


LEAVING HOME. 


59 


ly upon it, tliat I will comfort her as well 
as I can. When the first outburst of an- 
guish shall be over, her love for you will 
be increased. You have done well, Leo, 
and I bless you for your happy idea. I 
am comforted, brother, with the thought 
that I may be of some use after you have 
left us.” 

Yes, indeed, Willy, if there be any 
merit in doing what I propose, the large 
portion will be yours, for without your 
assistance I could certainly do nothing,” 
replied Leo. ^^Now, however, I leave 
with a lighter heart, since I know that 
you approve of my undertaking and will 
second it with the work of your hands. 
But, Willy, what depresses me now is my 
not knowing whether mother will give 
me her blessing upon the voyage. My 
soul will lose all courage, all cheerfulness, 
all energy, if I shall be compelled to think 
that my departure has been the cause of 
sadness rather than joy.” 

Willy shook his head, and looked 
thoughtfully towards the house, that now 


60 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


shone in the distance, like a polished 
shield on the sea. Brother,” he said 
suddenly, ^‘but if you could Icriow — be 
quite certain that mother gave you her 
blessing upon the voyage ?” 

Willy, that would be a great com- 
fort, a source of great happiness to me,” 
answered Leo. Then I would fear no 
peril, but rest confidently in the thought 
that a Christian mother’s blessings and 
faithful prayers would protect me in all 
dangers.” 

^^Well then, brother,” said Willy, 
feel in my heart that mother will bless 
you, for you are only doing your duty to 
her as a good son. But, see here, Leo, 
you shall be convinced that I am not 
mistaken.” 

How is that possible, brother ?” asked 
Leo. 

It can be done very easily, and I am 
glad that it occurred to me when I looked 
over at the house,” answered Willy. 
^^As soon as you get on board of the 
Dolphin, I will row home and tell mother 


LEAVING HOME. 


61 


everything. If she is satisfied, as I am 
certain she will be, then I will take a 
large white cloth and fasten it to an oar 
on the top of the house. Such a signal 
will be visible for many a mile out at sea, 
and when you see it waving, you may 
rest assured that it conveys to you a 
thousand greetings and blessings from 
mother.’’ 

That’s an excellent idea !” cried Leo, 
flushed with joy. ^^And you will not, 
from kindness of heart, Willy, deceive 
me ?’’ 

‘^No, I would shrink from such a sin,” 
said Willy, honestly. Let us, however, 
row nearer the shore, so that I can reach 
the house as quick as possible after you 
have got on board of the Dolphin. The 
sooner the signal waves, the better you 
will like it.” 

Certainly, my darling brother !” cried 
Leo, seizing the oars, so as to bring the 
boat quickly close to the shore. And, 
Willy, when you speak to mother, give 
her this note, in which I have written 


62 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


my last farewell. Don’t forget it, Willy, 
I beg you.” 

Willy put the note in his pocket, and 
promised to attend to^ his brother’s re- 
quest scrupulously. Then the two lads 
talked about those things which were 
dearest to their hearts, the speedy return 
of Leo, the perils to which he would be 
exposed, their joy wLen he would return; 
of their mother, and all the things Willy 
should do during his brother’s absence, 
in order to make it be felt as little as pos- 
sible. Leo impressed it upon his mind 
that he should apply, without hesitation, 
to Herr Liborius, in case Elshoft made 
any fresh attempts at persecuting their 
mother. With such conversation, they 
gradually neared the beach, at a point 
which the Dolphin would be compelled 
to pass. The hour of noon had gone by, 
and the vessel might come any minute. 

An hour more passed away, when a 
white sail appeared flying in the distance, 
following the curvatures of the river, ap- 
proaching nearer and nearer, then disap- 


LEAVING HOME. 


63 


pearing behind the jutting tree-covered 
promontory, then emerging above the 
green leaves, until at length the hull 
came into view, and the vessel was seen 
moving majestically towards them over 
the surface of the water. 

The time is come !” said Leo, in a 
half-choking voice, tremulous with the 
anguish of the separation. ^^Let us pull 
nearer, brother.’' 

They grasped their oars, and in a few 
minutes thereafter the boat lay by the 
side of the whaling vessel. The brothers 
fell into each other s arms. Farewell ! 
God preserve you !” said both. Kiss 
mother for me,” added Leo, in a tremulous 
voice, and then tore himself from his 
brother, after a quick, warm grasp of his 
hand. A few minutes afterwards he stood 
on the deck of the. Dolphin, leaning over 
the rail, and waved his last greeting to 
the boat. 

Willy shook the tears from his eyes, 
headed his boat to the shore, and rowed 
with all his might. On the beach, he 


64 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


turned around for an instant. The Dol- 
phin was flying over the smooth surface 
of the water with full sails. Willy waved 
his handkerchief in the air, murmuring : 

God’s blessing be with you, brother!’' 
and then hastened with light, quick steps, 
but with a sad, anxious heart, to his 
mother’s house. 



\ 



CHAPTER lY. 


MARTIN THE PILOT. 


a 



ELCOME to the Dolphin, my 
I good fellow ! ” said Captain 


Bertram, patting Leo on the shoulder 
with his huge hand, while he was looking 
after his brother. Don’t let your heart 
be too heavy. By the help and care of 
God you will see them all again in a few 
months. Or, do you regret the rash step 
you have taken ? There is still time to 
turn back.” 

^^Oh no, I do not regret anything!” . 
replied Leo. ‘^1 am convinced that I 
have done right, and hence there is no 
room for regret or turning back. Captain.” 

Well, then I bid you welcome again, 
and hope that you will do your duty 


6 


65 


66 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


honestly so long as we are together. 
Follow me now to Martin, the pilot. See 
here, I have promised myself that you 
will be a first-rate whale-fisher, and I 
can’t put you under a belter teacher than 
old Martin. He is rough and crusty, but 
no braver sailor ever trod the planks of a 
vessel. Come, my lad !” 

The Captain walked to the stern, and 
Leo followed him. A thick-set, broad- 
shouldered person, every inch a sailor, 
was at the wheel. Indeed he looked 
rough enough ; he had on a coarse, water- 
proof jacket, and a low-crowned felt hat 
shaded his broad but true and honest face, 
from which sparkling, bright, gray eyes 
shone forth. His cheeks and forehead 
were as brown as mahogany, the effects 
of the weather, to which Martin had been 
exposed for years. The tropical sun and 
the cutting cold of the polar region had 
alike left their marks upon his face : deep 
furrows told of trials and exposures,, of 
which Leo, at this time, could form no 
conception. When the Captain, with his 


MARTIN THE PILOT. 


67 


young protege, approached Martin, he 
turned his piercing eyes to Leo, and, 
laughing good-naturedly, extended his 
rough, huge hand. 

Well, lad,” said he in his deep bass 
voice, so you want to be a sailor like 
your father? See here, I knew your 
father well, and made many a voyage 
with him. For the love I bore him, and 
because the Captain has already told me 
some good things about you, I intend to 
take charge of you. But understand me, 
my lad, I don't want to make an idle vaga- 
bond of you ! If you come under my 
authority, you will have twice as much 
to do as the others, and I don’t think I 
can promise you any indulgence if you 
don’t perform your duty faithfully. So 
reflect upon what you are going to do. 

With me you will have nothing but 
trouble and work, and you must be ready, 
night and day, to execute orders. But if 
you are one of a larger party, there are 
many hours which you can idle away, 
because a watchful eye will not be upon 


68 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


you all the while. If you want to be- 
come an honest, skillful sailor — that’s 
another question. You might possibly 
become one in that way, although it’s not 
very probable. Now, you have your 
choice.” 

Leo didn’t hesitate a second. He seized 
the pilot’s hand and, looking full into his 
weather-beaten face, said quickly and 
boldly : I will stick to you, Martin, that 
I will. And if I don’t perform my duty 
as far as possible, or if I become idle and 
neglectful of my work, you shall cast me 
off, without a murmur from me.” 

“ Well said, lad !” said the pilot, 
squeezing his hand as if it were in a vice. 

If you are only half as apt as you seem 
to be, we shall be good friends.” 

That I expect, Martin, that I confi- 
dently expect,” said Captain Bertram. 

He is still young, but he is made of good 
metal, within and without. Forge it 
aright, Martin ; and you, Leo, bring no 
disgrace to your teacher. Peace, peace, 
my lad, I can imagine what you are going 


MARTIN THE PILOT. 


69 


to say, and I believe you. Don’t be too 
much afraid of old Martin — if you only 
have the will and be ready for your work, 
you will soon win his good favor.” 

The Captain nodded kindly to his 
young protege and walked away. Leo 
remained standing by the Pilot’s side, 
looked around him, and was soon im- 
mersed in deep thought, while Martin 
troubled himself but little, or rather not 
at all, about him. Soon Leo directed his 
eyes to the shore, which seemed to recede 
more and more in the distance. His eyes 
sought out, and soon found, his mother’s 
house, shining like a white shield over 
the sea. 

Ah the mother ! It was likely that she 
knew everything now, and was extending 
her arms anxiously towards her son, who 
was being carried further and further 
away from her. Her eyes, darkened with 
tears, were seeking him in vain, her voice 
could no longer reach his ear, and Leo 
almost regretted that he had left without 
a farewell, that he had not spoken freely 


70 


LEO KEMBRANDT. 


to his mother and left the decision of the 
whole matter to her. 

He looked out for the white flag that 
his brother Willy was to raise on the 
roof of the house, but his eyes found 
nothing, and his heart was becoming 
heavier and more oppressed. How, if she 
did not forgive him, if she disapproved of 
the bold and rash step he had taken, al- 
though done only to relieve her from sor- 
row and pain ? If, instead of sending her 
blessing after him on his distant, perilous 
journey, she should be offended at him 
and forbid his brother to raise the flag ? 

Leo’s eyes were immovably directed 
towards the white house, which was now 
a great distance off. Oh mother ” he 
sighed — have left you only that I 
may silence the persecutions of a merci- 
less man. Forgive the act, to which my 
heart impelled me, and which I considered 
a dear and sacred duty.” 

He looked again, and gazed until his 
eyes were filled with tears, — and then he 
prayed silently to God that He would yet 


MARTIN THE PILOT. 


71 


so turn his mother’s heart that the burden 
of sorrow might be removed from his own, 
which was now trembling and shaking in 
the anguish and care of hope, expectation 
and bitter uncertainty. 

The vessel with its full sails flew over 
the shining surface of the water, like a 
bird whose wings cut the air with the 
swiftness of the wind. The land receded 
further and further, the beach had disap- 
peared from Leo’s sight, and the house 
could be only seen as a white point above 
the green waves. Before long this would 
also disappear and with it — as Leo 
feared — all peace and joy from his soul. 

^^Lad, why are you standing there, 
looking all the while back upon the land?” 
asked the pilot, laying his hand heavily 
upon Leo’s shoulders. That’s a misera- 
ble voyage when the body only is on 
board, while the spirit stays behind in the 
old home. Look ahead, ahead, my lad ! 
Whatever a man undertakes, he should 
undertake with body and soul, like a 
whole man, otherwise all his acts and 


72 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


deeds are bungling jobs, not profiting 
anybody, and least of all himself.” 

Leo turned his eyes slowly away from 
the place of his home and clenched his 
teeth to conceal, from Martin’s eyes, the 
deep anguish that burned in his breast. 
But Martin saw the tears that he wiped 
from his eyelashes, and his brow was im- 
mediately wrinkled. 

Listen to me,” he said, harshly and 
angrily, soft-hearted milksops are of 
little use on an Arctic expedition. A bold 
and determined spirit is ^ what’s wanted.’ 
You should have thought over all this, 
before you came on board the Dolphin.” 

I am not a child, Martin !” replied 
Leo. If you knew what was troubling 
me, you wouldn’t be so severe in your 
language.” 

The old sailor’s face softened a little at 
these words, and he inquired, in a more 
kindly tone, what was the cause of his 
trouble. Leo told the old man his story 
in a few words, and Martin said in a very 
friendly and affectionate tone : 





/, ' “ ■ . ' V • - i> i' ’;r -, • 

f '• .Hi ' >iHiM^’<r' ' :*"■■ fi4^- 


■ / .; 









• * ¥ 

|i<l^‘>>V'''4 


in, ;!,-*tii5 'i»‘;i*’'-i 

■ / •■ ■ .fcJSMM L’ ■\i 

ft ^ .m ' ‘ 


aKl 







LEO TAKES A LAST LOOK. 

“Lf30 put the glass to liis eye and again sought all that he loved 
most dearly in the world.” p. 73. 



MARTIN THE PILOT. 


73 


That’s something else, my lad ! It is 
true that everything depends upon God’s 
blessing, — ^but he who lacks his mother’s 
blessing, lacks ever so much. I don’t 
wonder that your heart is heavy. Well, 
well, lad, don’t take it too much to heart. 
We shall keep your house in sight for an 
hour or so yet. Go forward and bring 
me my spy glass — ^it may be that we shall 
need it.” 

Leo sprang off quickly, asked one of 
the boys to show him the pilot’s cabin, 
and returned with the glass. ' 

So, lad,” said Martin, that’s right. 
Take the glass and look carefully. Let 
us not give up hope. A mother's heart is 
a royal treasury full of the test feelings, 
and I don’t think you will hope in vain 
for a full share of her blessing. There, 
now you ha\^e it right, lad — and when 
you discover anything tell me, for I shall 
be as glad as you.” 

Leo put the glass to his eye, and again 
sought the little house, which contained 
all that he loved most dearly in the world. 


74 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


There it lay plainly before him with its 
silver white walls and its grape vines 
encasing the windows with their rich 
green. In spite of the distance he could 
see everything distinctly, — even the tiles 
on the roof. Soon it seemed as though 
he saw his mother, at the window, in the 
black dress which she had worn since his 
father s death. No : it must be nothing 
but the shadow of a tree falling against 
the bright, shining panes. 

His heart beat still more rapidly, and 
he sent a thousand greetings to the 
shadow. But the white flag — where was 
it ? Oh it was not to be seen, and the 
vessel was sailing further and further 
away, — and the time allowed to Leo’s 
anxious and uncertain hope, was getting 
shorter and shorter. In a short half hour 
the house would disappear below the 
horizon, and bitter sorrow would take up 
its abode in his heart, to fasten itself there 
for so long a time ! 

Already, although a feeble hope still 
remained, he felt the gnawings of the 


MAKTIN THE PILOT. 


75 


worm called remorse; his cheeks became 
pale, his hands trembled, and he groaned 
in anguish: ^^Oh Willy, that you hadn’t 
thought of giving me a sign ! Then there 
would have been at least a doubt. I 
should have found consolation in that, 
and in the conviction that I was doing 
right in the eyes of the Lord. But now, 
now nothing is left but the sad, crushing 
certainty that my mother’s anger rests 
upon my heart.” 

There is nothing, Martin,” said Leo 
sorrowfully to the pilot, and he shut up 
the glass with a trembling hand. The 
house has disappeared behind the waves, 
and with it all my hopes.” 

The voice of the youth broke down at 
these words, and he turned quickly away. 
But old Martin took the glass, put it to 
his eye, and laughed quietly but heartily 
to himself. 

^^Yes, the landlubbers, the landlub- 
bers!” he muttered. They have no 
eyes upon the water, until they have 
made a couple of voyages upon it. Now, 


76 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Leo,” and he turned towards him, “ the 
white flag is floating very gaily over 
there.” 

Impossible, impossible, Martin I” cried 
the youth in a tone of despair, although 
he seized the glass quickly and changed 
color. ^^Ha ! but I didn’t see a trace of it 
before.” 

^^You didn’t open your eyes wide 
enough, young clodhopper !” replied Mar- 
tin, laughing very pleasantly. There it 
floats and flutters, like an Admiral’s flag, 
large and wide in the air. Compose 
yourself, compose yourself, my lad! If 
your hand trembles so, you won’t be able 
to see anything with the glass.” 

Indeed Leo was trembling like an aspen 
leaf, and his ruddy cheeks became as 
white as a sheet. But regaining his self- 
command, he laid the spy glass upon the 
rail in order to hold it more firmly, and 
then looked away in the distance. A low 
cry of joy escaped from his lips. ^^It 
floats, Martin, — it floats and flutters. 
Oh mother, dear, you forgive me and your 


MARTIN THE PILOT. 


77 


blessing follows me ! I thank Thee, Oh 
Lord, that Thou hast not suffered her 
heart to be closed against her son !’' 

Old Martin rubbed his hands together 
in great joj, and looked with heartfelt 
sympathy at his young pupil, whose eye 
and spy-glass were kept fixed upon the 
floating white sheet. 

‘^Yes, yes,” he muttered to himself, 
man’s feelings are always the same, and 
they are the same now they were thou- 
sands of years ago. It was just so with 
myself, thirty years ago, when at fourteen 
years of age I saw my home disappear 
behind the waves. I thought my heart 
would, nay, must break. But — it didn’t 
break, and it soon got sound again when 
I began to be busily employed. Work, 
work — that is the best consolation and 
restorative for all infirmities of the heart 
and weaknesses of the spirit. 

But, don’t you see it any more, my 
lad ?” he turned to Leo, who had taken 
the glass from his eye and come near the 
wheel. Yes, yes, we are about over the 


78 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


line. But if you want, you can go up to 
the mast-head — there you may still snatch 
a glimpse of the white rag which pleases 
you so much, and has made your heart so 
glad. 

^^Only go/’ he went on to say, I have 
no objection; at present I have nothing 
for you to do, and — well, yes, the heart 
of a young fellow who has left his home 
and his mother for the first time has its 
rights also ! Quick, lad — no one will dis- 
turb you at the mast-head, and you can 
have a good talk with yourself up there.” 

Leo accepted, without hesitation, the 
invitation of his fatherly friend — indeed 
he began to look upon Martin as such — 
and in a minute was at the mast-head, 
whence, with the glass held against the 
mast, he looked over the waves for a long 
time, until his hand, the sky and the sea 
met together in one line, and the eye 
could see nothing but the boundless ex- 
panse of the water, the blue of the sky, 
and occasionally a bird flying, with out- 


MAHTIN THE PILOT. 79 

stretched wings, over the moving mirror 
of tlie sea. 

He then folded his hands, and looked 
upwards for a few minutes in silent 
thought, perhaps also in silent prayer. 
Then he passed his hand over his face, 
stood up erect, and whispered : 

Enough ! Henceforward I devote my- 
self to my work, and will only think of 
home, mother and brother, when the 
hour for rest arrives. Brave old Martin, 
you may be as rough as a bear in the 
Arctic ocean, but that’s all outside. My 
standing here is a plain proof of your 
good, noble heart. You shall never have 
reason to complain of me.” 

He cast one more look — the last — upon 
the land where his mother and brother 
were thinking of him. Then he shut up 
the glass quickly, climbed nimbly down 
the mast, and a few seconds later stood, 
with bright eyes and happy face, alongside 
of old Martin, who greeted him with a 
hearty grasp of the hand. 


CHAPTER V. 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


S HE wind was favorable, blowing 
from the south-west. The Dol- 
phin, in its course, cut the waves rapidly, 
and seemed as though it were anxious to 
contend in speed with its namesakes, 
which were playing sportively about the 
keel of the good ship. 

Captain Bertram was of the opinion 
that, under existing circumstances, there 
would be nothing lost on account of the 
lateness of the date of their sailing, and 
that, if the wind would only continue so 
brisk and favorable, it would be surpris- 
ing if they didn’t steer homewards, with 
full lading, in a few months. 

80 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


81 


Old Martin was always in a good 
humor, and even the crew had happy 
faces. Leo was spry and active, and 
Martin had not deceived himself when 
he expressed the belief that occupation 
• and work would soon frighten the shadow 
of sadness away from the soul of his young 
friend. 

Martin and Captain Bertram, before 
long, were not the only persons on board 
who gave Leo their good will. The hand- 
some, lively, and always friendly young 
lad acquired many friends among the 
crew. And there were but few of the 
sailors that looked upon him with, un- 
favorable or distrustful eyes, or that 
grudged him the favor of their offices. 

Leo did not return like for like, with 
the latter class. He was pleasant, kind 
and friendly to every one, and the fatherly 
affection that Martin continued to show 
him daily, did not keep him from being 
zealous and attentive to his duties. On 
the contrary, it made him anxious to 


6 


82 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


deserve this affection, by redoubled dili- 
gence. 

It happened one night that Martin and 
Leo had the watch on deck accidentally 
at the same hour. The night was clear 
and calm. The moon shone brightly in 
the sky, lighting up the waves of the sea 
with its silver rays. The Dolphin sped 
along with a regular, easy and yet swift 
motion, cutting through the water like a 
bird through the air. The rushing waves 
broke against its forequarter, and splashed 
sportively against its sides. The air, in 
spite of the high latitude attained by the 
Dolphin, was mild and refreshing, and no 
danger was to be feared on any side. 

Martin sat at the wheel, casting his 
eyes carefully around. When he saw 
that there wasn’t the slightest appearance 
of danger, he called Leo, who was leaning 
over the rail on the forward part of the 
deck, seemingly watching the 'waves flash- 
ing in the moonlight, and made room for 
him to sit at his side. 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


83 


“ Sit down here a little, my lad/’ he 
said kindly. The night is clear, the 
moon shines brightly, and the ship sails 
splendidly. They are keeping good watch 
forward, and it’s a right pretty night to 
spin a long yarn. Tell me now in full, 
my lad, what induced you to join the 
Dolphin. I have heard this and that from 
the Captain, but altogether it is but little 
that I have learned to know about you.” 

Leo was ready to tell at once, in de- 
tail, what he knew about himself and his 
family, to the kind pilot ; for the conduct 
of his parents, as well as his own, had 
always been upright, and there was no 
necessity for concealment. While he 
was speaking, one of the sailors, who was 
on the forward watch, approached near 
enough to hear almost every word which 
Martin and Leo exchanged, and seated 
himself upon a block, as though tired of 
his long watch, and desirous of taking a 
little rest. 

In order to avoid the appearance of 
eavesdropping, he turned his face towards 


84 LEO REMBRANDT. 

the sea, and rested his head upon his 
hands, to keep himself from being recog- 
nized. Martin and Leo paid no attention 
to him, inasmuch as they were wholly 
indifferent whether a third party heard 
the story or not. He had no secrets that 
he cared to conceal from a faithful heart 
and a listening ear. What he said the 
whole world might hear, because it was 
only the truth. 

Under such circumstances, Leo quietly 
and without embarrassment narrated his 
story. Martin listened without interrup- 
tion until Leo stated that his father’s 
partner had declared that the vessel, 
which had been swallowed up by the 
waves, had not been insured at the joint 
expense of Captain Rembrandt and him- 
self, but by himself alone ; on which ac- 
count Rembrandt’s widow — Leo’s mother 
— could not claim a cent of the insurance 
money. Here old Martin sprang up, and 
said : 

See here, lad, that is the most in- 
famous fraud that old Elshoft has ever 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


85 


committed. I know it perfectly well, for 
I am acquainted with the whole story, 
because I came near taking command of 
the Uranus, the name of the lost vessel, 
in place of your father. As I told you 
before,. I'^was well acquainted with him, 
and when he was sick he asked me to 
take his place until he should recover. I 
could not accept it, because I had pro- 
mised to go as pilot in a vessel to the East 
Indies. 

^^It was then that your Father told 
me, in the presence of that rascal Elshoft, 
that the responsibility would not be very 
great, as the ship and its freight "had been 
insured by him and his partner, which 
statement the latter then and there con- 
firmed. It is clear enough that the old 
rascal has swindled your mother! In- 
famous I Infamous 1 to steal from a poor 
widow and her two helpless children their 
entire property !” 

But, Martin, if that had been all, the 
misfortune could have been still endured,’’ 
said Leo. But he didn’t cease to per- 


V 


86 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


secute my mother, and to extort still 
more money from her, and this is really 
the circumstance that induced me to take 
a place on the vessel.'’ 

But how could the rascal do that ?' 
asked old Martin, taking his seat slowly 
again. 

Leo related what we all know, and 
Martin, ordinarily a quiet, circumspect 
person, suffered himself to be so much 
overcome by his anger, that he uttered a 
shocking oath at the wicked swindler. 

God forgive me the sin !” he added 
immediately after, but if this doesn’t tease 
all the patience out of a, man, he must 
have it twisted as thick as a cable. And 
so in fact, after he had so shamefully 
swindled your mother, he wished to drive 
her away from her last place of refuge ? 
Now lad, see here ! It is very praise- 
worthy in you, to have sacrificed yourself 
so willingly for your mother, but it shall 
also be to your profit, and, if the good 
Lord will permit me to return to Bremen, 
your noble act will find its reward. 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


87 


Lad, the rascal shall be made to hand 
over his spoils, as sure as my name is 
Martin, and as I am an honest man. We 
will see whether he dare deny before me, 
what your father told me in his presence. 
That we shall see, Leo ; and after that— 
for he won t dare to hoist a false flag 
against my honest name ; after that, I 
say, he will be obliged to surrender the 
spoils, which he supposes are so secure, 
and to pay your mother the whole, even 
to the last cent. 

Patience, only patience, Leo ! God 
conducted you to the Dolphin, in order to 
bring the truth to the light of day, and 
you will not have made a trip to the Arctic 
ocean in vain. Be comforted, my lad — 
we will drag the shark on the beach and 
force him to disgorge his plunder there, 
although years have passed away since he 
swallowed it.” 

Useless, my good Martin, absolutely 
useless,” replied Leo. The fraud has 
been so cunningly managed that we shall 
not be able to expose it. Herr Liborius 


88 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


did his very best, to protect mother’s j ust 
claims, as he knew, and, like every body 
else, was thoroughly convinced that they 
were just — but it was all useless. The 
law decided in favor of the swindler, and 
he laughed in his sleeve at us. His pa- 
pers and certificates were too carefully 
prepared, — even if they were founded on 
pure fraud.” 

We will see, we will see, Leo,” replied 
old Martin, more calmly than before. The 
right is on your mother’s side, and on 
whatever side the right is, on that side 
the Lord will be. On this account it 
would be marvelous if rascality could be 
successful in the long run. Let us see 
whether the word of an honest, upright 
sailor won’t be worth more in Court than 
a shabby piece of filthy paper, on which 
any scamp can write ^rhat he pleases. 

Yes, yes,” he continued, crimes may 
remain concealed for years, so that at 
times we almost doubt whether God’s eye 
rests upon the wicked and their wicked- 
ness, but then suddenly everything is ex- 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


89 


posed, and the faint-hearted and those of 
little faith, blush on account of their 
groundless fears. Patience, Leo ! the 
Lord will bring all that is evil to the light 
of day, even if it were buried in the very 
centre of the earth !” 

Leo shook his head in doubt. He could 
not directly contradict the old man, be- 
cause he felt that God had blessed him in 
permitting him to join the Dolphin s crew, 
as he was thus enabled in any case to pro- 
tect his mother from the worst. While 
Martin was saying what we have just re- 
lated, and the two were engaged in earnest 
conversation, the sailor, who had heard 
every word, got up quietly and paced the 
forward deck, without attracting the at- 
tention of either Martin or his young 
friend. After a little he walked forward, 
touched the sailor on the shoulder, who 
was keeping watch there, and said in a 
low tone of voice, as the latter turned 
around : “ See J acob, I think you have 
been sitting here quite long enough. Give 


90 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


me your place and walk about a little to 
keep yourself awake.” 

^Yery well, Conrad !” replied the other, 
getting up from the pile of cordage on 
which he had made himself a comfortable 
seat. Conrad took his place, and Jacob, 
after pacing the deck for a few minutes, 
sat down on the same block which had 
been occupied by his mate, when he heard 
the conversation of Martin and Leo. Con- 
rad, observing the movements of his com- 
panion, nodded his head, and said in a low 
tone of voice to himself : 

That’s good ! I shall now take care 
that I escape disgrace and be not discov- 
ered. They may say what they please ; 
my father may be a miser, but he is cer- 
tainly not a rascal. Still it was a stupid 
thing in him not to leave the widow in 
peace. For the sake of a few hundred 
dollars, the old story will be stirred up 
again ! What a greedy miser he is !” 

He crossed his arms on his breast and, 
leaning back as though resting himself, 
gazed on the sea. But his soul did not 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


91 


appreciate any thing seen by his eyes. It 
was buried with thoughts and plans which 
separated him entirely from the external 
world. 

A whole hour was consumed in this 
manner, and the time was approaching 
when the men on watch should be re- 
lieved. Martin turned abruptly to the 
sailor, who sat on the block near him, and 
said : 

“ See here who are on watch beside us T 

‘‘ Ernest Bohme, and Conrad Elshoft.’' 
the man replied. 

Didn’t I tell you?” said Martin to Leo, 
while the sailor, to whom he had spoken, 
took his seat again. Be careful before 
this fellow : if he should find out that we 
are planning to circumvent his father, he 
might be inclined to interfere with us 
slightly.” 

But I don't believe that this Conrad 
Elshoft is the son of the man who cheated 
my mother,” answered Leo. Old El- 
shoft is too rich to expose his son to the 
perils of so dangerous a voyage. lie could 


92 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


have fitted out a vessel himself, and made 
his son the commander.^' 

Very true ! if he wasn’t only so mean 
and miserly,” replied old Martin. I 
know the old fox well. It may be that 
he intends to send a vessel on a whaling 
voyage, as it has become quite the rage 
lately, because such voyages, when only 
moderately successful, yield handsome 
profits. But although miserly, he is still 
quite far-sighted. He has certainly sent 
his son along with us, in order to learn the 
business, without paying for his instruc- 
tion. 

Should all turn out favorably, he will 
fit out a vessel next year, and make his 
son captain or pilot ; if unfavorably, he 
has at least lost nothing, and the lad gets 
his three hundred dollars pay. Such cal- 
culation is as like old Elshoft, as one egg 
is to another, for there is not to be found 
in the wide world a more devoted wor- 
shiper of filthy lucre than he is. His 
son is probably no better than the old man.” 

^^But would Captain Bertram have 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


93 


taken the fellow if he had known that he 
was the son of the rich Elshoft T' inquired 
Leo. 

Certainly not if he had known it !” 
answered Martin. But the Captain has 
hardly inquired about his family, and pro- 
bably doesn’t know anything about his fa- 
ther. But what’s the use of arguing — let 
us go to the fellow and ask him about it?” 

“ That would be of little use in case he 
has heard our conversation,” suggested 
Leo. 

How could he have heard it ? He is 
sitting forward, near the capstan. But 
still it is better to go to him, before he has 
a chance to talk with the fellow on the 
block, although I don’t believe that even 
this one heard anything. Come, my lad.” 

Martin arose, went softly up the deck, 
followed by Leo. Conrad Elshoft re- 
marked their coming, but didn’t think it 
prudent to seem to notice them, or to 
change his place until Martin cried out : 

Holloa, lad, you seem to keep your watch 
asleep.” 


94 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Now he sprang up quickly and rubbed 
his eyes, as though he had been actually 
overcome with sleep. 

Take care, lad !” the pilot said, 
sternly. If I catch you so again, you 
may get a touch of the ropes’ end. What 
IS your name?” 

Conrad Elshoft.” 

Where were you born ?” 

In Hamburg.” 

Hum ! Some very good sailors come 
from that place !” muttered the old pilot. 

I hope you are not going to be of the 
other kind. Keep better watch hereafter, 
and I will overlook your negligence this 
time. Keep your eyes open, man ! We 
don’t go to sea for sport.” 

Conrad made no reply, and Martin 
turned away with Leo. 

You see Martin that I was right,” said 
Leo. 

^^Hum! yes — and so much the better,” 
replied the pilot. The whole voyage 
would be distasteful to me, if the fellow 
were the child of that crafty old hound. 


THE EAVESDROPPER. 


95 


But the relief must soon come ! Go down 
my lad, and get to your hammock. We 
have talked enough for the present, I 
think.” 

Leo disappeared quickly below decks, 
and Martin took his place at the w^heel 
again. “ Yes, yes ! I was too distrust- 
ful !” he muttered to himself. The fellow 
was asleep, and couldn’t have had a lie 
ready. W e have nothing to fear from him. 
But look out, Elshoft, if the Lord brings 
us back to Bremen !’ 

Whilst old Martin thus deceived him- 
self, Conrad Elshoft shook his fist at him, 
and said in a low, muttering tone : ‘^Take 
care, you men ! you shall neither rob my 
father of his money, nor his good name, 
if he is innocent. And he is — he must be ! 
Otherwise — merciful Father! it would be 
horrible 1” 

After these words he became silent and 
absorbed in thought, until the relief ap- 
peared on deck and relieved him from his 
post. 



CONRAD ELSHOFT. 



HAT a wonderful thing is the 
human heart! Its impulses are 


like the movements of the slender reed, 
under the influence of the passing breeze, 
unless they are controlled by the princi- 
ples of stern integrity and the spirit of 
genuine piety 1 

Conrad Elshoft, although he tried to 
sleep in his hammock, was kept awake by 
conflicting thoughts and emotions. He 
was in no sense animated by those feel- 
ings that a son should always have for his 
father ; and yet in his inmost heart he 
was enraged at hearing his father reviled 
and condemned without being able to de- 
fend him. He believed, or at least hoped 
that his father was innocent of the crime. 


96 


CONRAD ELSnOFT. 97 

of which he had been accused by Mar- 
tin and Leo. And yet, he had not the 
courage to defend his innocence against 
his accusers, because a gentle voice in his 
breast whispered, that in the end truth 
might be on their side. Conrad had no 
respect for his father, although the voice 
of nature commanding him to love him, 
was not completely silenced in his heart. 

Heretofore he had been obliged to look 
upon him as a miser ; — ^must he hereafter 
believe him to be a swindler — a robber of 
widows and orphans ? But his spirit was 
stirred up, not altogether on account of 
his father, for the accusation concerned 
him also. If his father were found guilty, 
a part of the disgrace would naturally fall 
upon him — the son. And whatever faults 
Conrad had, he was not so devoid of feel- 
ing as to be indifferent to honor or dis- 
honor. 

In the first ebullition^ of rage, he gave 
himself up wholly to gloomy and wicked 
thoughts. If I could only prevent the 
return of Martin and Leo, to Bremen,” 
7 


98 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


he said to himself, there would be no 
evidence against my father, and the dis- 
grace that would result from his being un- 
masked as a swindler, would be prevented. 
How could their return be prevented ?” 

He began to think of putting them out 
of the way by violence. But soon he shud- 
dered at the thought of a crime that would 
indelibly stain his hands, and make him 
miserable and wretched for all time and 
eternity. No, he would rather bear the 
disgrace and suffer innocently, than com- 
mit the dreadful sin for which neither 
penitence nor prayer could fully atone. 
But what should he do : how should he 
begin to avert the disgrace from himself 
and his father’s family ? He threw him- 
self about restlessly in his hammock, and 
the morning dawned before he had reached 
any conclusion. The thought once flashed 
upon his mind that, if his father were ac- 
tually guilty he ought to make restitution. 
On his return home, he would throw him- 
self at his father’s feet and implore him 
unceasingly to restore the money so wick- 


CONRAD ELSnoFT. 


99 


edlj obtained, to the defrauded family, 
until he had softened his father’s hard 
heart. 

Then the honor of the son would atone 
for the father’s sin ; and Martin, Leo and 
all the parties concerned would be silent 
for his sake, and bury the recollection of 
the fraud in the sea of oblivion. But 
this good and laudable resolution speedily 
vanished from Conrad’s heart, because he 
despaired of influencing his father to 
adopt such a line of conduct. He re- 
jected the thought before it had time to 
take root in his heart. 

It won’t do, it won’t do !” he cried. 

His property is of more account to him 
than the respect of his fellow-men, or the 
misery of his only son.” 

Conrad spoke these words not unjustly, 
for he had experienced his father’s hard- 
heartedness and avarice in his early years. 
Cruel treatment drove him from that 
father’s house, when a boy, fourteen years 
old, and forced him to serve as a cabin- 
boy on a West Indiaman. He had been 


100 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


absent from his father’s house for years 
without provoking any anxiety on the 
part of the father as to his fate. When 
he returned to the house, a lad of eighteen 
or nineteen years of age, to beg his father’s 
pardon, he had been driven away with 
abusive words, and mercilessly thrust upon 
the world. 

Some years afterwards, a sort of recon- 
ciliation was effected, after old Elshdft 
had become convinced that the son could 
make his way in the world without the 
father’s assistance ; but a genuine, hearty 
affection never existed between the father 
and son, and could not be expected. 
After a short stay at home, Conrad took 
a place on a vessel, and at length, after a 
series of shifting fortunes, reached the 
Dolphin. Not fearing the dangers and 
perils of the whale-fishery, he hoped to 
secure a small capital, which would aid 
him in his future operations, independ- 
ently of his father. 

But this plan might be completely 
destroyed and thrown overboard, if, on 


CONRAD ELSHOFT. 


101 


the return of the Dolphin, his father 
should be proven guilty of the crime that 
Leo charged upon him, and Martin hoped 
to prove. No one would place confidence 
in the son of a convicted swindler — no 
one would have any business relations 
with him. It was not at all singular that 
he endeavored to devise ways and means 
to avert this stroke from himself and his 
father. If this could be done openly and 
honorably, Conrad would not hesitate to 
do it, as he was naturally of a kind, noble 
heart, although his education had been 
miserably neglected. But, as he failed to 
think of such a plan, no one could pre- 
dict to what step his passion, and the fear 
of ignominy and disgrace might drive 
him. 

It would have been best for Conrad to 
have shunned lying — to have acknow- 
ledged openly that he was the son of the 
man who was charged with so grievous a 
crime, and then to have supported and 
defended his father as far as possible. If 
he had afterwards been satisfied that his 


102 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


father had really committed the offence, 
he could have urged him to make amends 
for it by restoring the stolen property to 
the proper owners. If his father would 
refuse to do this, the son would be free to 
declare publicly that he was not a par- 
ticipant in his father’s guilt, but that he 
would himself try to make amends for 
the same in case he were ever able so 
to do. 

If Conrad had dealt with the case thus, 
he would have been free from all guilt ; 
no one would ever have reproached him, 
and he would have spared himself many 
a bitter hour and many a reproach of his 
conscience. But he was weak, and lacked 
the courage to act promptly and openly, 
and while he was fearing the contempt of 
his companions, he persisted in the lie he 
had told Martin. He hoped that a wel- 
come accident might possibly help him. 

Whale-fishing was a perilous occupa- 
tion ; the ship might perish, with all her 
crew. Martin and Leo might meet with 
an accident. He himself might lose his 


CONRAD ELSHOFT. 


103 


life. In short, a thousand things might 
happen, which would prevent the dis- 
covery that he dreaded so much. Finally 
he concluded that things might go as they 
pleased ; he would be wholly passive, 
and, on the return of the vessel — and 
even then only if absolutely necessary, 
he would act as circumstances should in- 
dicate. Conrad was satisfied with this 
conclusion, and continued to perform his 
duty untiringly along with the rest, al- 
though not with the pleasure and lively 
active zeal that animated the rest of the 
crew, and especially our young friend 
Leo. He moved about moodily and si- 
lently, even the liveliest jokes of his com- 
rades scarce won a feeble smile from him. 




CHAPTER VIL 

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 


FTER a long but pleasant voyage, 
the Dolphin at length reached 
the waters where whales were generally 
found. Sharp watch was now kept, not 
only on the deck, but the rigging was 
crowded with sailors, who were gazing in 
all directions to discover, if the huge 
black back of a whale could be distin- 
guished anywhere above the surface of 
the water. 

Leo was not inactive during this gen- 
eral excitement. He hung upon the rope 
ladders from early, in the morning to late 
at night, and kept his sharp bright eyes 
on the look-out. He scarcely took time 
to satisfy his hunger. After eating a few 
104 



LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 105 

mouthsful, he would climb with extreme 
adroitness up to the top of the mast, and 
only laughed when old Martin warned 
him against being too fool-hardy. 

As active as a cat !’’ the old pilot 
would then mutter to himself In fact 
in four weeks’ time, he has become our 
best sailor. Well ! Captain Bertram will 
not regret having taken him on board, and 
I have a friend in him, as dear to me in- 
deed as though he were my own son. I 
am anxious to see what he will do on our 
first whale-chase. He is strong and active 
enough, and I think he doesn’t lack dex- 
terity, for lately in our harpoon practice, 
he always struck the centre of the target. 
We shall see, we shall see ! But not a 
single whale has yet suffered himself to be 
seen. They must know that old Martin 
is once more upon the trail !” 

In fact the Dolphin had up to this time 
been so unfortunate, that it seemed as 
though the voyage would turn out a fail- 
ure. Weeks had elapsed without the ap- 
pearance of a single whale, although not 


106 LEO REMBRANDT.^ 

a minute passed without an inspection of 
the whole ocean, as far as visible from the 
vessel. Captain Bertram became fretful, 
old Martin growled, and the sailors seemed 
to have forgotten how to laugh and "jest. 
Another week passed away, when the 
Captain came to his pilot, and shaking 
his head, said : 

This can’t go on any longer, Martin ! 
The time for our return is drawing near, 
and hardly a month remains suitable for 
our work. If we don’t make good use of 
the time, we shall be shut in by the ice, 
and be forced to spend the winter at the 
North. And that wouldn’t suit us or our 
employer, who has paid a good round sum 
for the Dolphin’s outfit.” 

<«Yery true. Captain,” replied old Martin. 

But what is to be done ? The cunning 
rogues must have heard of our affection 
for them, and stay away on that account.” 

Now, Martin, I was thinking that we 
might rather than go back to Bremen emp- 
ty-handed, do something else,” said the 
Captain. You know that every body 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 107 

will laugh at us if we haven’t at least one 
whale on board.” 

Yes, indeed, Captain ! But what are 
we to do, if the cunning rogues don’t let 
us catch a glimpse of them ?” 

“ Well, Martin, I think we might push , 
a little nearer their homes, instead of 
cruising about in this region. Hoping 
and waiting fool many a man, old fellow. 
How would it be if we set sail for Spitz- 
bergen ?” 

Martin stared at the Captain, and 
looked very much perplexed. Captain,” 
he said, that would be great risk, for the 
season is already advanced.” 

But there will still be time enough to 
return, in case nothing is found in that 
latitude,” replied the Captain. Fortune 
favors the brave, Martin.” 

Yes, indeed — and holdly begun is half 
the battle,” said Martin, who began to ac- 
custom himself to the idea of sailing in a 
higher latitude. Yes, indeed, in whale- 
fishing that never fails, and if we only per- 
severe we might still get a couple of large 


108 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


fellows on board. And after that to the 
right about — all sails hoisted for home, 
and, if necessity requires it, right through 
the ice-fields. Well, Captain, if you think 
the thing promises well, old Martin has 
nothing to say against it. We must not 
waste any time.’’ 

Well, then, trusting in God, let us do 
it; back the wheel, old sea-bear.” 

Martin seized the spokes of the wheel 
with all his force, and with his strong arm 
turned the head of the Dolphin towards 
the North. The sails were trimmed pro- 
perly, and the keel cut the foaming waves 
with the swiftness of the wind. Although 
the sailors knew that it was a dangerous 
venture to steer northward so late in the 
season, yet there was not a man in the 
crew who didn’t hail the bold and daring 
enterprize of the Captain, with a glad 
shout and a loud huzza. 

The heart of a bold sailor is always 
eager for a fight with the monsters of the 
sea, and considers the danger as nothing 
in contrast with the disgrace of returning 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 109 

home empty-handed. It is true that old 
Martin often had an anxious expression 
on his face, when he looked at the almanac 
and was reminded by it, that the season 
was far advanced ; but he always drove 
away unpleasant thoughts, and muttered 
to himself : Fortune favors the brave ! 
Only go forward boldly. It is certainly 
no more than our obligation and duty, to 
undergo hardship and danger for the bene- 
fit of our employer. God will help us 
when the danger is at hand !” 

All eyes were on the look-out for whales 
more diligently than ever, because the 
further they sailed North the greater the 
probability that they would meet some 
of the monsters. Still none were to be 
seen — the ocean seemed empty, and Cap- 
tain Bertram muttered and grumbled 
every day more and more. 

It’s of no use, Martin !” he said to his 
pilot, one evening. Fortune has de- 
serted us, and we must begin to think of 
making our way back, with God’s assist- 


ance. 


110 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


^^Not before we have seen the sharp 
peaks of the ice-bergs of Spitzbergen !’' 
replied Martin. No man must be jus- 
tified, Captain, in saying that we have 
neglected our duty. If all our efforts 
are of no avail, it will be so because it is 
God’s will, and we must be content with 
the result. That’s your way of thinking 
too. Captain ; and I know very well that 
you are only trying me when you talk of 
turning back. But you don’t know old 
Martin very well if you think his heart 
and courage are not in the right place. 
Yes, Captain, we must stick to the hunt, 
and we may yet catch the good fortune 
that seems now to be flying away from 
us.” 

The Captain looked up to the sky, and 
noticing the position of the sun, which 
was sinking rapidly into the sea, he said : 

The days have become very short ! But 
what of that? To Spitzbergen we must 
go, even though we shall be obliged to 
sail through ice-bergs all the way. Cour- 
age, Martin !” 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. Ill 

Martin continued to steer firmly to- 
wards the North. He avoided, with great 
adroitness, the ice-bergs that were float- 
ing heavily and slowly in the water, and 
didn't leave his post until the morning 
dawned. The ship had escaped many a 
peril during the night. The further north 
they sailed, the thicker the ice-bergs, like 
swimming islands, driven about by wind 
and currents in all directions. 

But now the sun exposed to the eyes 
of the crew a wide open expanse of green 
sea, on which nothing was visible save a 
few white peaks rising near the distant 
horizon, which gave no immediate cause 
for fear. Martin called Leo, put him in 
charge of the wheel, enjoined him to keep 
the ship firmly and constantly in the same 
direction, and to awake him in case the 
ice-bergs were driven near the vessel. Leo 
promised to obey the instructions literally, 
and Martin went below to snatch a few 
hours of quiet sleep after his long night- 
watch. This time, however, the brave 
Martin was not allowed to close his eyes. 


112 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Scarcely had he gone down the steps, 
when a loud shout came from the mast- 
head, and a voice screamed out : Whales, 
whales ! A whole shoal of them in the 
nor’west.” 

Where,” thundered the pilot, from 
whom all sleepiness had disappeared in a 
trice, hurrying up the stairs again, where, 
Hans?” 

‘^In the nor’ west — two — three — five-— 
seven head!” the voice replied from above. 
“ They are spouting water high in the air 
from their noses, just like water-spouts — 
and there — hallo, pilot! there are five 
head more in the nor’east. Hurrah, boys ! 
there’s fine sport ahead !” 

A loud shout of joy burst forth from 
the crew, who had rushed up from their 
hammocks at the first notice ; and Martin 
fairly screamed out to Captain Bertram. 
‘‘ We have found them, Captain ! We 
have found them ! Hurrah, lads, up with 
the harpoons. Launch the boats and take 
your places ! Hurrah, Captain ! Fortune 
favors the brave ! There’s a whole shoal 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 113 

of lively fellows, and now you can see 
how we’ll pounce upon them ! Forward, 

lads r 

A scene of indescribable confusion fol- 
lowed. Every body was in every body 
else’s way; some of the sailors sprang 
into the boats, and, launching them, ^ 
seized the oars ; some threw in the lines 
and harpoons ; others, as yet not dressed, 
threw their clothes down in the boats, so 
as not to be left behind, and Captain 
Bertram arranged with the pilot the plan 
of attack. 

^^We have seven boats. Captain^ and 
hence three of these fellows can be at- 
tacked without further ceremony,” said 
Martin, quickly. I will go ahead with 
two of the boats; the command of the 
others can be entrusted to Assistant Pilot 
Bartels and Boatswain Koop. Both are 
excellent at the harpoon. Here, Leo, 
quick into the boat. You can show to- 
day whether you have learned anything 
lately.” 


8 


114 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Captain Bertram expressed himself 
satisfied with Martin’s plans, and the lat- 
ter sprang with Leo into the first good 
boat that was ready to be launched. The 
oars were dipped into the water, and the 
frail boat shot like an arrow over the 
waves. While the stout sailors, of whom 
there were four, besides Leo and Martin, 
in the boat, were rowing with all their 
might, the pilot was getting the reel and 
line ready, examining the harpoon, to see 
whether it was sharp enough, and firmly 
fastened to the rope, and instructing Leo 
once more in those things to which he 
should pay attention in the chase. Leo’s 
countenance was radiant with delight, his 
eyes sparkled, and his heart throbbed 
violently. He listened, however, atten- 
tively to every word spoken by his in- 
structor, and stored it away in memory. 

^^You must also keep close to me all 
the while, and when you see that the 
whale cannot get away from us, then you 
may try your own hand,” said the old 
sailor. Take care, however, my lad, 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 115 

that 3 'OU don’t get caught in the line, if 
you are so fortunate as to drive the har- 
poon into the whale’s back. If it should 
get a turn about you, the whale would 
drag you down along with him, and you 
would be beyond recovery. Caution is 
'profitable in all kinds of business^ and no 
one dare neglect it in whale-fishing.” 

While Martin was giving these instruc- 
tions, and Leo was listening attentively, 
the two boats had approached within a 
cable-length (720 feet) of the whale. 

Now spring over into your own boat, 
Leo!” said Martin. ^^And notice par- 
ticularly how I make my attack upon the 
whale. Let it be your aim to keep as 
close to me as possible. Don’t be seduced 
into throwing a harpoon, though the fel- 
lows move right under your nose. And 
now, attention, comrades 1 Briskly for- 
ward I I see a little fellow, some sixty 
or seventy feet long, w^hose more intimate 
acquaintance I should like to make. 
Strike your oars firmly — don’t splash, so 
as to scare the fellow prematurely, and 


116 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


drive him away. Forward, forward, 
men !” 

Old Martin, as he was saying these 
words, stood upon the seat, and, poising 
the heavy harpoon in his hand like a 
javelin, took his position on the prow of 
the boat. Then, supporting himself firmly 
on his left foot, and leaning slightly for- 
ward, he watched, with a quick eye, the 
movements of the monstrous animal, 
which was playing around freely and 
sportively in the clear water, as though 
^ he didn’t fear the slightest danger from 
the approaching boat. Martin’s eye shone 
still more brightly, and his powerful form 
steadied itself still more firmly, as he 
raised his arm with the harpoon. 

^^Now, my lads,” he said, in a sup- 
pressed voice, which trembled, in spite of 
his self-control, now let the boat shoot 
alongside, and pass as close as possible to 
him. A little further forward, so that he 
doesn’t crush the boat with his tail, and 
now ! May the good Lord give us suc- 
cess 1” 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 117 

Once more he lifted his arm up high 
for the stroke — paused a few seconds, 
while the spectators, with breathless ex- 
pectation, divided their attention between 
him and the whale, and then suddenly 
hurled the harpoon with such force into 
the dark back of the whale, that it seemed 
to have been thrown from the muzzle of 
a fire-arm. The sharp, steel-pointed, 
barbed end of the harpoon buried itself 
deeply in the body of the monster, and 
the staff vibrated for a few seconds under 
the force of the blow. Old Martin twisted 
his weather-beaten visage into a short, 
almost inaudible laugh, quickly seized the 
line to which the harpoon was fastened, 
and said, more to himself than to his 
comrades : This fellow won’t escape us 
— the stroke was good, and we shan’t go 
back to Bremen empty-handed.” 

But little time was allowed for further 
remarks, the whale had scarcely felt the 
pain of the wound, when he shook him- 
self convulsively, raised his tail high out 
of the water, and then beat the surface 


118 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


with such an enormous force, that it re- 
sounded as though a ten pounder was dis- 
charged. The water fell in torrents on 
all sides, and the boat quivered from the 
vibrations ; but it was fortunate that it 
escaped the strokes. The whale spouted 
up into the air, through his nostrils, a 
stream of water mingled with blood, as 
thick as a man’s arm, and then to escape 
their death-bringing weapons, dashed down 
as quick as lightning into the depths of 
the sea, where his enemies could not fol- 
low him. But his efforts to save himself 
were all in vain. The harpoon was too 
surely fastened to the line, and had been 
thrown with too much care and force, for 
him to get rid of it. The rope was payed 
off from the reel with frightful rapidity, 
and the latter began to smoke as though 
it were on fire. 

Dash water upon it!” cried Martin, 
seizing a second harpoon, so as to be in 
readiness when the whale appeared again 
on the surface, which must be very soon. 

One of the sailors, in obedience to the 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 119 

pilot’s orders, poured water upon the reel, 
and the others rowed with all their might 
in the direction which Martin, who was 
accurately observing the movements of the 
whale, through those of the rope to which 
he was attached, and which furnished 
them with tolerable certainty, pursued. A 
few minutes were passed in breathless 
silence. Every eye was scanning the 
water, so as to detect the whale as soon as 
he would come up to get air, and every 
hand rowed with all its power with the 
view of being as near to him as possible 
at that instant. Leo kept his boat close 
to Martin’s, and watched with quick, sharp 
eyes the progress of the chase. 

Hold yourself in readiness, my lad !” 
the pilot cried out. Our line is nearly 
all payed out, and if the whale doesn’t 
soon appear, we must take yours to help 
us. Closer, closer here, Leo — a minute 
more and it is too late — we shall have 
to cut the rope or lose our lives, for the 
wounded whale will carry boat, crew and 


120 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


everything else down under the water. 
Ha, Leo, there he is again.” 

About fifty paces ahead the waves were 
lifted up, and the back of the wounded 
animal emerged like a great black rock, 
from the waters. Without the necessity 
of an order, the sailors rowed up to the 
monster, and a second harpoon hurled by 
Martin’s strong arm, pierced the animal’s 
back. At the same time Leo threw down 
his oar, seized a harpoon, sprang to the 
prow of his boat and imitated Martin’s 
example. 

The harpoon flew and entered the ani- 
mal — but the boat, making a sudden 
movement to one side, Leo staggered — 
there was a scream — and the lad plunged 
overboard into the sea, where he disap- 
peared in a trice in the foaming waves, 
which were fearfully agitated by the con- 
vulsive movements of the whale. The 
sailors in his boat shrieked aloud, save 
one who sat in the stern, pale and mute, 
and no sound proceeded from his half- 
opened lips, although his whole counte- 


THE SEA. 


LEO LOST IN 
‘Tlie lad plunged overboard into the sea.” 


p. 120. 





LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 121 

nance clearly enough gave evidence of his 
dread and horror. 

What has happened ?” cried Martin, 
with his powerful voice, which sounded 
above all the noise made by the whale in 
lashing the waves. 

Leo is overboard !” screamed the 
sailors in the other boat, to the old pilot, 
whose face, although previously glowing 
with excitement and exercise, became at 
once as pale and colorless as a freshly 
whitewashed wall. 

Gracious Lord !” he cried — the poor 
lad is lost ! But no — let the whale go. 
A man’s life is of greater value than filthy 
gold. Back, men, cut the ropes, even 
should we lose the whale !” 

Had not Leo won the love of nearly 
all the sailors by his friendliness, kind- 
ness of heart and his acknowledged daring 
spirit, he would have been certainly lost 
in this important crisis, when every one’s 
mind was intensely interested in the chase. 
Fortunately he had secured the good will 
of the crew. 


122 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


The boats were immediately pulled 
away from '‘the whale, and the animal, 
after giving some furious blows with its 
tail, darted like a flash down into the 
depths, and the raging, angry waves, 
closed over him. The eyes of Martin 
and the other sailors sought around in 
great anxiety for Leo. Not a trace of 
him was to be seen. Suddenly a human 
form emerged from the deep. A pale 
face, half-covered with wet hair, was 
seen — and, without hesitation, Martin 
plunged into the sea. In less than a 
minute he had seized Leo’s unconscious 
body, held him upright in the water with 
one hand, and swam with the other 
slowly and carefully towards the boat, 
which was speedily brought to his as- 
sistance. 

No one of the sailors, who formed the 
crew of his boat,, was more zealous and 
anxious than he who had seemed so 
wholly paralyzed with dread and horror 
at the accident. When Leo was taken 
into the boat, he burst into tears, covered 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 123 

his face with his hands, and in deep 
agitation muttered a few words which 
none of them understood. Leo came 
quickly to his senses. He was but 
slightly stunned by a stroke, which the 
whale had given him, fortunately enough 
only after its strength was broken down 
and almost paralyzed. In a few minutes 
he shook the water from his dripping, 
brown locks. 

I am all right again, Martin !” he 
said to the honest sailor, whose friendly 
countenance was now radiant with joy, 
because he had saved his dear lad, and 
could look upon him as out of danger. 
‘‘ Look here, how I can swing the har- 
.poon ! The next one shall go every inch 
as deep as the other into the whale’s back. 
Where is the fellow ?” 

‘^Ah, ha! if you talk that way,” 
shouted the brave pilot, we can afford 
to look around again for him. But away 
with the harpoons ! He has had enough 
of them, and we will finish him with the 
lances. Come closer with my boat, chil- 


124 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


dren ! And now Leo take care of your- 
self. You have already found out that 
whale-fishing isn’t rabbit hunting.” 

With the last words, Martin by a bold 
and powerful spring, leaped back into his 
own boat, which has been brought along- 
side. 

Forward, forward, children, and may 
God protect us !” he cried. The rope is 
almost entirely payed out! Larboard! 
larboard ! Ha, that’s right ! The danger 
of being upset is now over. Only let us 
gain what we have lost. Row, lads, row, 
in your best style ! It never was more 
necessary than now, and as true as I am 
old Martin, you shall have double rations 
if you prevent the fellow’s escape.” 

The words of the old. pilot acted like 
magic. By the promise of double rations, 
their interest in the chase was raised 
to the highest pitch. These seemed to 
give giant-like strength to the brave fel- 
lows. No fish ever moved more rapidly 
through the water, than the boat com- 
manded by Martin. In a few seconds it 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 125 

had gained a stretch of several hundred 
feet, and exactly in the right nick of time 
reached the spot where Martin calculated 
that the wounded whale would rise to the 
surface. And there he lay on the water, 
in the centre of a broad dark-red circle. 

Blood mixed with oil streamed from his 
wounds ; blood and water spouted out of 
his spiracles (breathing holes) like foun- 
tains. The two boats approached him. 
Martin and Leo, each hurled a harpoon 
into the half-exhausted animal, and then 
all the sailors, except the two who man- 
aged the boats, threw down their oars and 
grasped the sharp-pointed lances, with 
which they thrust for the heart of the 
animal. 

The death-struggles of the monstrous 
creature were fearful. He lashed the 
blood-stained water so terribly with his 
tail, that huge waves like mountains were 
formed, and the sound was like that of 
artillery in battle. The sailors in charge 
of the boats, were obliged to be careful to 
keep them out of the way of the strokes. 


126 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


which would have shattered them into a 
thousand pieces. But the attacking party 
not intimidated by the fearful dangers 
with which they were threatened every 
instant, redoubled their thrusts, and forced 
him pretty soon to seek safety in flight. 

Once more this colossus of the sea dived 
under the water ; but the time he spent 
below the surface before he was obliged to 
come up for air, became shorter and short- 
er, and his movements also became more 
languid and feeble. Then, he raised him- 
self high in the air — a low^urgling sound 
escaped from his open jaws — and he fell 
heavily back upon the water, convulsive 
shrugs of his huge body followed — and at 
length he turned over on his side and 
breathed his last. Three loud huzzas were 
given by the sailors, announcing to their 
comrades the successful termination of 
the contest. 

A white flag was raised, and the old 
pilot wiping the perspiration from his 
brown forehead, said pleasantly : Well, 

lads, this is a master-piece — without help 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 127 

from the others, we have secured one fel- 
low who will be worth his two thousand 
dollars to our employer. You have richly 
earned your double rations, and old Martin 
will see that they are dealt out without 
stint. What do you think now, lads ? 
Shall we first tow our prize to the Dol- 
phin, or go to help our comrades over 
there, who are having a brisk time with 
the whales ? This fellow can’t get away 
from us now, you see, but those over there 
are still fresh upon their legs, or rather, I 
should say, upon their fins.” 

The sailors’ zeal in the chase was now 
excited, and they had become very enthu- 
siastic. With one voice they begged the 
pilot to lead them to another attack, and 
Martin said, with a hearty laugh : I 
thought so ! I thought so ! Yes, yes, 
only let a man take the life of one, and 
he has no further rest until the very last 
one is caught or escapes. Now, my lads, 
we must do our duty — therefore let us 
move off briskly.” 

The sailors seized their oars again with 


128 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


a loud huzza, and pulled over the water 
to the other boats, which had also entered 
upon the chase, and made attacks upon 
some of the largest whales. Old Martin 
arranged his harpoon lines again, ex- 
amined his weapons to find whether they 
had been injured, and should belaid aside 
as unserviceable, and after he had put 
everything in order, turned to Leo and 
inquired how it came to pass that he fell 
overboard into the sea ? Leo was unable 
to give a satisfactory explanation of his 
accident, and the other sailors asserted 
that they were not able to assign any 
cause or reg-son for it. The sailor who sat 
in the stern, was the only one silent, and 
his brown cheeks became pale when Mar- 
tin, turning to him, said : Now, Elshbft, 
you have had the best opportunity of see- 
ing the accident from the rear, and hence 
you ought to know exactly how it hap- 
pened 

I don’t know anything about it !” re- 
plied the sailor, quickly. I was only 


LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. 129 

looking at the whale, and did not observe 
Leo falling overboard.’' 

Old Martin gave^ Elshoft a long, search- 
ing stare, and the latter became alter- 
nately white and red, and turned his head 
quickly aside with the view of concealing 
his emotions. 

must keep a still sharper eye on him," 
muttered the pilot to himself. The 
fellow appears to me as though his con- 
science wasn’t clear ; and in fact, hum ! 
hum ! he is better acquainted with that 
old rascal Elshoft than he will admit.’’ 

The others entertained no suspicion, 
and each one believed that Leo had lost 
his balance and fallen overboard, at the 
instant when he threw the harpoon with 
all his force. But Conrad Elshoft mut- 
tered in a low tone of voice : 0 Lord, 

pardon my sins ; lead me not into temp- 
tation ; but deliver me from the wicked 
thoughts which are always entering into 
my heart.’’ 

The miserable man sorely needed the 
aid of heavenly grace in his struggles 
9 


130 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


with the wicked one. It had been an 
almost imperceptible movement of his 
oar, that had 'Caused Leo to lose his 
balance. Had this been acddental, or 
from design? No one knew save God, 
who looks into the inmost soul of man, 
and tries his reins and heart. It was 
most likely that Conrad used the oppor- 
tunity to get rid of the youth, whom he 
feared greatly. He could safely calculate 
that Martin would plunge in the sea to 
save his favorite, and that both would 
lose their lives in the bustle and confu- 
sion which would follow. In fact, their 
lives were saved only in consequence of 
the diving of the whale. Who can say — 
whether Conrad rejoiced or not at the 
result ? 

The boats flew quickly over the water, 
and were, in a few minutes, in the midst 
of another exciting scene, full of conflict 
and peril. Two more of the largest 
whales were killed. The rest sought 
safety in flight, and no one cared to fol- 
low them, because there was enough now 


LEAD US NOT INTO TExMPTATION. 131 

to do, in bringing safely to the vessel the 
rich prizes of the day. Eopes weroap^fast- 
ened to the tails of the dead monsters, 
and they were towed to the Dolphin, 
where arrangements were made imme- 
diately to take on board the blubber and 
the whalebone — the valuable parts of the 
animal. Two days were thus occupied 
before they were able to go on another 
chase. No one would listen to any sug- 
gestion about returning, although the 
season was very far advanced; no one 
seemed to fear the ice-bergs and ice-fields 
that were floating around them, and by 
which they might possibly be shut in, if 
the severe northern winter began a little 
earlier than usual. The prow of the 
Dolphin was still directed northward, the 
sails were spread, and the good ship kept 
on, with a fresh wind, in the direction of 
Spitzbergen. 



CHAPTER VIIL 


THE BEAR HUNT. 



IITHIN the three weeks, during 
which the whale-fishing of the 
Dolphin lasted, seven more whales, be- 
sides those taken on the first day, were 
captured, and the vessel had its full lad- 
ing. It lay at anchor off the South-west 
of Spitzbergen, when Captain Bertram 
announced his intention to start in the 
morning for Bremen, after a few necessary 
repairs should be made to the vessel. 
The good ship had not escaped entirely 
uninjured from the perils to which it had 
been exposed. All hearts beat lightly 
and joyously. 

132 


THE BEAR HUNT, 


133 


The Dolphm had been unusually suc- 
cessful, and no one doubted but that she 
would reach home, without further mis- 
fortune. A portion of the crew was em- 
ployed in repairing and caulking the ves- 
sel ; others were Storing its valuable cargo 
away in the hold, while a few, among 
whom were Martin, Leo and Conrad 
Elshoft, were to be seen loitering about 
the deck, because their assistance was 
not needed, and they had already done 
tlieir full share of the work. 

Martin was talking with Leo about the 
success of the voyage, their expected 
prosperous return, and the joy that Leo’s 
mother would feel when she folded her 
beloved son safe, sound and unhurt, once 
more in her arms. Neither dreamed that 
many a weary day would pass by before 
their feet should tread their native soil 
again. 

The day, although cold, was beautiful 
and bright. The sun stood sparkling in 
the cloudless sky, and its rays were re- 
flected from the sharp ice-crowned moun- 


134 . 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


tain peaks of the neighboring island ; so 
that in its light, these flashed and shone 
like diamonds. The atmosphere was un- 
usually clear and transparent, and objects 
could be plainly discerned miles away 
from the observer. 

Leo looked attentively at the surround- 
ing scene, which in spite of the wintry 
solitude, was not devoid of attractions. 
His eye at times rested upon the ocean, 
with its numerous ice-flelds, then upon the 
numerous streams of the curiously-cleft 
and jagged island, and then upon the snow- 
clad mountains that stood out with silvery 
splendor against the pale blue arch of the 
heavens. 

All is dead, desolate, barren and un- 
fruitful,” he said. Not a stalk of grass 
adorns these wild, mournful snow fields, 
not a tree waves its green branches in the 
breeze, not a bird sings upon these bleak 
ice-clad mountains, and not a butterfly 
sports from flower to flower, in this inhos- 
pitable region. Still the scene is beautiful. 


THE BEAR HUNT. 135 

and all proclaim the power and greatness 
of the Creator.’’ 

True, true, my lad,” replied old Mar- 
tin. Nothing is devoid of attraction, 
that has come from our heavenly Father’s 
hands. But do not imagine that nature 
is as desolate as she seems. The wintry 
solitude swarms with living creatures. 
The polar bear gets his subsistence upon 
those snow-clad plains ; the shores swarm 
with walruses, seals, and sea-lions; rab- 
bits and faxes defy the extreme severity 
of the polar winter ; and even birds are 
not wanting, although they lack those 
many-colored brilliant feathers which their 
brothers wear in southern climes. 

Sea-gulls, goosanders, storm-petrels, the 
great white northern owls, make the rocks 
and the shores resound with their wild 
cries, and the Arctic sea is teeming with 
fish, whose number is beyond human con- 
ception. Yes, yes, my lad, we see every- 
where the power of God, creating life and 
motion, even when the dull eye of man 
thinks to find nothing but the stiff sleep 


136 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


of death. Why, look there, don’t you see 
the shaggy form of a bear creeping around 
the extreme projection of that ice-clad 
rock?” 

I see her, I see her !” exclaimed Leo, 
holding his hand before his eyes, so as to 
keep off the dazzling light, reflected from 
the ice. And see, Martin, there is her 
cub crawling close behind her. Oh ! if 
we could only get both of them !” 

Hum ! that might be done,” growled 
Martin, following with his sharp eyes 
every movement of the prowling beast. 

If she will only venture out upon the 
ice-fields, when she gets around the steep 
icy entrance to the same, she couldn’t es- 
cape us, if we succeeded in cutting off her 
retreat. Hum ! hum ! bear meat isn’t 
bad, and her shaggy skin would be quite 
acceptable to our employer. But, look, 
Leo, she is really going on the ice-fields. 
If we can only manage to get behind on 
the projection, we can secure both her and 
the little fellow! Halloo, Captain Ber- 
tram, a word with you 1” 


THE BEAR HUNT. 


137 


The Captain, who was superintending 
repairs in the forward part of the vessel, 
heard his pilot’s shout, and came quickly. 

What’s the matter, Martin ?” he asked. 

Hum ! Leo and I have discovered a 
large polar bear upon the shore, and if 
we get after her she can hardly escape,” 
replied Martin, whose eyes began to 
sparkle with anxiety for the hunt. The 
whole affair will be over in an hour or 
two, and we shall get, in addition to the 
skin, a good supply of fresh meat for the 
vessel. What do you think of the idea. 
Captain ?” 

I have no objection,” he answered — 
“only we can’t spare the men, Martin. 
Where is she ? I don’t see her.” 

“ There, right in front on the ice-field, 
in a straight line with the wheel and the 
port, there,” answered Martin, eagerly. 
“ See, see, how she rolls along with her 
cub towards the ravine.” 

“ True, true — now I distinguish her 
shaggy fur from the bright snow,” 'said 
the Captain, adding immediately, “she 


138 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


certainly could not escape, but we havn’t 
the men to spare, and you know, Martin, 
we have no time to waste.^’ 

Oh, Leo and I and Elshoft there — we 
are enough ourselves,” replied old Martin. 

Only giVe us the rifles. Captain, and 
leave the rest to me ! It is not the first 
time that I have tried my hand at such 
sport.” 

^^But the danger, Martin,” said the 
Captain — If you miss her — 

The lad Leo will be along, and, to 
prepare for the worst, we will take our 
harpoons with us !” cried Martin, who 
was more anxious even than Leo for a 
struggle with the fierce inhabitant of the 
North. Let us go. Captain, and I will 
assure you, that within two hours we will 
bring the bear and her cub on board.” 

Captain Bertram consented, and hur- 
ried down to his cabin to get three good 
rifles, with powder and balls. In the 
meantime Martin sprang into the first 
good boat, lowered it, and seized the oars. 
The Captain returned with the fire-arms, 


THE BEAR HUNT. 


139 


Elshoft brought up three of the best har- 
poons, and everything was put into the 
boat rapidly. Then Elshoft and Leo 
sprang in, and Martin was about pushing 
off, when the Captain cried out : 

Halloo, Martin,” he said, better let it 
alone. There are gray clouds gathering 
over the mountains, and I fear we shall 
have a heavy snow-storm before we are 
two hours older. Only look, the sun is 
overcast with vapor.” 

Martin looked sharply around, and 
shook his head. I can’t dispute it. Cap- 
tain !” he shouted back. But before the 
storm comes on in full we shall be back — 
the distance to the projection can’t be 
more than a quarter of a marine mile ! 
Still, in case of necessity, throw us down 
a skin. Captain. That will keep us from 
freezing.” 

One of the cabin boys, at the order of 
the Captain, brought up a thick wolf-skin, 
and threw it into the boat. The three 
hunters then rowed briskly off, and in 


140 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


less than half an hour reached the pro- 
jection. 

The bear appeared not to notice them. 
Without any sign of disturbance, she was 
walking around the ice-field, seeking, ap- 
parently, prey for herself and her cub. 

She won’t escape us,” said Martin, as 
the boat shot round the projection and 
reached the icy bank. Forward briskly, 
Elshoft! Pitch the harpoons on shore, 
and you, Leo, bring the rifles and the 
ammunition. So, now fasten the boat to 
the ice. That’s all right ! Now, forward, 
lads !” 

Each hunter took a loaded rifle, and 
the three then walked slowly and care- 
fully around the projection, Martin being 
in the advance. At the place where they 
should turn a corner, in order to bring 
their game in sight, Martin stopped a 
minute, stretched out his head, and looked 
after the bear. 

All right !” he said. The fellow is "" 
standing by the side of a hole in the ice. 


THE BEAR HUNT. 


141 


and is probably watching a seal that she 
wants for dinner. But wait, old one, 
your appetite will soon be gone. Care- 
fully now, youngsters ! Let us approach 
within shooting distance without disturb- 
ing her, then slowly take aim — sighting 
accurately at her head or breast, and not 
fire before we are sure of our aim. 

Let no one aim at the cub — it can’t 
escape us if the mother is killed, whereas 
the latter will become terribly furious if 
we shoot the cub before her eyes. Don’t 
fire before we get within fifty paces. If 
the beast scents us before we get so near, 
which is very likely, as their senses in 
acuteness excel everything, you must 
stand still and await her attack. When 
she is within ten paces of us, I will shoot 
first, next you, Leo, and finally, if it shall 
be necessary, you also Elshoft. But I 
think that it will hardly be necessary, for 
if she is not killed by the first shot, she 
certainly will be by the second. In case 
of extreme need, we have our harpoons. 


142 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Now, you know your orders — forward — 
and may God help us !” 

They stepped quickly forward, but had 
not gone quite around the projection, 
when Martin stopped suddenly, looked 
carefully ahead, and after a few seconds 
said : 

‘‘1 have changed my plan. No one 
can predict what may happen, and in any 
case, it is good to have a reserve. Listen, 
Elshoft — ^you remain here and cut off the 
bear’s retreat. In case she don’t show 
fight, and prefers a swift retreat, in the 
excitement we may miss our mark, and 
then both bear-skin and bear-meat will 
be lost, unless we command this pass. 
Yes, yes, remain here. We ought to des- 
patch her ; but if not, she will run right 
into your fire. Take a safe position, so 
that in case of necessity the furious ani- 
mal cannot attack you, and besides, you 
will be more certain of your aim if fear 
doesn’t make you tremble. Wait pa- 
tiently for whatever may happen. The 


THE BEAR HUNT. 


143 


bear will not be able to reach that pro- 
jection, while you can take good aim at 
her there. Climb up to it. Quickly, my 
ladr 

Conrad Elshoft made no great objec- 
tion to this plan. With the aid of his 
companions, he climbed up to the projec- 
tion indicated, reached after his loaded 
rifle, and promised to keep good watch. 

Leo and Martin betook themselves to 
the ice-fields without further delay, and 
crept along with their rifles cocked in their 
hands, and their harpoons trailing from 
their belts, towards the spot where the 
bear stood, staring earnestly with head 
bowed down, into a hole in the ice which 
the seals used from time to time as a 
breathing place. The hunters got within 
a hundred paces of her, without any sign 
that she knew any thing of approaching 
danger. 

Suddenly, however, she raised her head, 
looked over to the side where Martin and 
Leo were standing, raised her nose and 
snuffed the air. The cub in answer to a 


144 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


deep low growl, ran quickly to her, and 
put himself under her protection. Then 
she uttered a still more terrible growl and 
opened wide her blood red jaws, display- 
ing a terrible double-row of sharp-pointed 
teeth. 

Down, down, my lad !” whispered 
Martin to his companion. Down and 
don’t stir. She hasn’t seen us yet. Gen- 
tly ! Perhaps we can get still nearer to 
her. See, there she turns away and the 
cub rolls about over the ice as happy as if 
there were no hunters or rifle-balls in. the 
world. Patience for a few minutes, and 
then we will go forward again.” 

Martin and Leo lay perfectly still on 
the ice, while the bear took her former po- 
sition again and turned her back ujDon 
them. The cub waddled around, playing 
upon the ice or dancing in the snow that 
lay around in small piles, occasionally 
uttering cries, which the clearness of the 
atmosphere permitted the hunters’ ears to 
catch very distinctly. 

The little monster is an excellent 


THE BEAR HUNT. 


145 


ally !” whispered Martin to his compan- 
ion. Let him only keep on rolling and 
growling, so then we can safely get nearer. 
Forwards, Leo — but take care not to tread 
upon any thin ice, as it may betray us by 
its cracking. Keep close behind me.” 

The two hunters directed their course 
slowly and carefully up the steep, creep- 
ing along slowly on their knees. Avoid- 
ing all the unsafe places, Martin tried al- 
ways to keep the snow-piles between them 
and the bear, so as to conceal their ap- 
proach, and he was so successful in this, 
that they had gone some thirty paces for- 
wards without attracting the bear’s atten- 
tion. Suddenly he paused. 

What’s the matter ?” whispered Leo. 

Why look there !” Martin replied also 
in a whisper. That mischievous little 
cub has been rolling around in all direc- 
tions, until it has nearly rubbed against 
us. I have half a mind to punish his im- 
pertinence with a ball. But no, silence, 
Leo ! It may be that he will roll away 
10 


146 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


without noticing us. Such a young cub 
is often more stupid than a sheep.’’ 

The two hunters stood perfectly quiet, 
looking at the young bear, which stared 
at them as though puzzled, and made no 
sound. It didn’t seem to feel afraid or 
timid, and after it had stared at the hun- 
ters a little, it moved slowly towards them 
until it was within five paces, when it 
stopped and began to growl. 

‘‘ The miserable little cub will certainly 
bring the old bear about our ears, unless 
we silence her,” said Martin. There’s 
no use of waiting now — loosen the har- 
poon from my belt, Leo !” 

Leo was about executing tne order, and 
had scarcely stretched out his arm, when 
the cub, beginning to feel his position un- 
safe, drew back frightened, and crawled 
backwards over the ice, snarling angrily. 

^^Now it’s all over!” said Martin, peev- 
ishly. “ Look out, my lad, before two 
minutes the old bear will be upon us. 
Only don’t shoot until you are sure that 


THE BEAR HUNT. 147 

you can strike a mortal spot, my lad. Ha ! 
here she comes !” 

Old Martin was not mistaken. The she 
hear accompanied by her cub came wad- 
dling towards them, and, when she saw 
the two men who were awaiting her at- 
tack with unflinching courage, uttered a 
frightful growl. I say with unflinching 
courage, although Leo was by no means 
very comfortable as it was the first time 
he had ever faced such an animal. Al- 
though a bold, courageous heart was beat- 
ing in his breast, although his nerves had 
been sufficiently steeled by the manifold 
dangers he had passed through happily to 
prevent him from being frightened by any 
unusual appearances, still he felt his arms 
tremble when he raised his rifle to point 
its muzzle at the bear’s head. She ap- 
proached them slowly. When thirty paces 
off, she arose upon her hind feet, opened 
her blood-red jaws and struck out with 
her fore paws wildly in the air. 

^^Look out!” cried Martin. ^‘1 am 
going to shoot now, and if she doesn’t 


148 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


fall, then you must fire. But don’t get 
nervous, Leo !” 

Don’t let that worry you, Martin,” 
he replied energetically, although his 
voice trembled slightly, and his cheeks 
were blanched. I shan’t desert you, if 
I am forced to die ten deaths.” 

Martin paused an instant — then fired 
his piece, and a stream of blood, staining 
the shaggy covering of the bear’s breast, 
showed plainly enough that he hadn’t 
missed his aim. The bear sank upon all- 
fours, rolled about for a minute, then sud- 
denly sprang upon Martin with a mighty 
leap, and threw him down with the force 
of the blow. 

Shoot, Leo, or we are both lost !” he 
shrieked. 

Leo rallied all his faculties. Instead 
of shooting from a distance, although 
deathly pale, yet stepping firmly, he ap- 
proached the bear, just when she had 
placed her fore paws upon Martin’s 
breast, whilst she stared fiercely with her 
widely-distended, blood-red eyes, at her 


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THE BEAR HUNT. 


149 


new enemy. Extending his arm, with 
the raised rifle, he put the muzzle close 
to her head and flred. She sprang back 
with a wild roar, and shook her bloody 
head. Leo's ball had wounded her, but 
whether mortally or not the youth could 
not decide. Martin, who was happily 
uninjured, sprang up from the ice as 
quick as thought, seized his harpoon, and 
hurled it with all his might at the bear, 
which, being wounded again, uttered an- 
other frightful roar. 

‘^Steady now, Leo! She can t last much 
longer, for she is reeling. Use your har- 
poon, my lad 1" 

Leo seized the weapon with both hands, 
and awaited a fresh attack from the bear, 
while Martin picked up his discharged 
rifle from the ice, and turning it butt-end 
upwards, raised ' it like a club, with the 
view of dashing it against her skull in 
case she renewed the contest. 

The animal was evidently very much 
exhausted, and seemed to have no wish 
to attack her armed enemies again. She 


150 


" LEO REMBRANDT. 


called to her side her cub, which had been 
lazily staring at the contest, rocking itself 
on its haunches, turned her back to both 
the hunters, and ran off in a slow trot. 

She certainly can’t escape us now !” 
cried Martin, in great joy. Let us load 
the rifles quickly, and follow her. On 
that side she can’t escape, unless she 
plunges into the sea, where we can follow 
her in the boat. She can’t hold out much 
longer, or she wouldn’t have fled !” 

Shan’t I call Elshoft, so that he may 
help us ?” inquired Leo. 

No, no ; we can do without him !” 
replied Martin. But tell him to row 
the boat this way, so that it may be at 
hand in case we need it. Quick, my lad, 
or our prize will still escape us !” 

Leo ran back quickly, and returned 
before Martin had finished loading the 
rifles. 

Now briskly forward !” said Martin. 

Leave the harpoons lie ; they will be in 
our way in running, and we can pick 
them up on our return. Where is she ?” 


THE BEAR HUNT. 


151 


Ah, there she runs along the ice-wall, 
with her cub by her side. Hurry, my 

lad r 

While Martin was still speaking he 
began the pursuit, running over the ice- 
field in a quick trot. Leo was close by 
his side, and in a few minutes they were 
gaining rapidly upon her. 

She is exhausted !” said Martin. 
^^Loss of blood, and her wounds, have 
crippled her — she can’t escape now !” 

The two hunters increased their speed, 
keeping their prize in view, until suddenly 
she turned a corner and — disappeared. 

She is off!” cried Leo. 

Yes, but we will soon see her again ! 
Only let us get ahead fast 1” replied Martin. 

In a few minutes they had reached the 
place where the bear had disappeared, 
and Martin uttered a cry of surprise and 
vexation at finding a narrow ravine' in 
the ice-wall, through which the pursued 
animal must have escaped. The bloody 
track, which was quite plain upon the 


152 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


ice and snow, confirmed this supposition 
manifestly. 

^^The beast has outwitted us,’’ cried 
Martin. But it shan’t benefit her ! She 
can’t go very far, and we will follow until 
we overtake her !” 

Leo hesitated, and cast a sharp glance 
at the sky, which had become covered, in 
the meantime, with dark clouds. The 
Sun had almost disappeared under the 
vapors, and in the direction of the Dol- 
phin there was a thick gray cloud, im- 
penetrable to the eye. Leo pointed si- 
lently, with his finger upwards. 

It’s of no consequence,” said Martin, 
taking a hasty glance at the sky. So 
long as the wind does not rise, and shower 
down the snow-flakes, that little bit of 
mist is of no consequence. Come on, for- 
wards ! Leo ! we’ll risk a quarter of an 
hour more, and then there’ll be still time 
to return ! If we can’t get the whole bear 
on board, we can save at least her magni- 
ficent fur.” 

Without hesitation the pilot, generally a 


THE BEAR HUNT. 


153 


prudent man, but now wholly infatuated 
by his interest in the chase, plunged into 
the ravine. Leo followed him, although 
with anxious heart. He would have pre- 
ferred to have kept Martin back, for a pre- 
sentiment of coming danger was oppress- 
ing his heart. Still he feared that Mar- 
tin might misunderstand him, or charge 
him with cowardice ; and in no case would 
he desert his well-meaning, true, and 
faithful friend. So he kept close behind 
him, full of hope that the wounded bear, 
exhausted by pain and loss of blood 
would not be able to go very far. 

In fact the two came out of the ravine 
upon a broad open space in less than five 
minutes, and a joyous shout from Martin, 
announced that he had found the fugitive 
again. The bear lay stretched out upon 
the snow, which was covered with her 
blood all around, and the cub was jump- 
ing about her, whining and growling pite- 
ously. As Martin and his companion 
drew nearer, she made an effort to get up 
and run away. But her strength was ex- 


154 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


hausted, and she sank oack again on the 
ice after staggering for a few seconds. A 
well-aimed shot from Martin, put an 
end to her sufferings. The ball passed 
through the eye into the brain, and in 
dying she stretched herself out on all 
fours. Leo threw a noose over the cub, 
and soon he lay on the ice, bound and 
helpless. 

There now we have them both !” said 
Martin, as a smile of triumph played over 
his brown countenance. “We can easily 
slip the cub over into the boat, and can 
soon strip the skin from the old bear. 
Take hold there Leo, we haven’t any time 
to spare !” 

Drawing out their knives both hunters 
went to work quickly, and had nearly 
completed the task, when old Martin sud- 
denly looked up, and bending his head to 
one side examined the sky carefully. Leo 
also stopped in the midst of his work, and 
looked in amazement at his companion, 
in whose countenance the flush of anxious 
care could be recognized. 


THE BEAR HUNT. 155 

Don’t you hear it, Leo?” asked Mar- 
tin. 

Certainly, a dull roaring in the dis- 
tance, which seems to be approaching us 
gradually,” replied Leo. It may be 
nothing but a wind squall, which has been 
caught in the mountain ravines while 
moving over the ice-fields.” 

God grant that you are right !” said 
Martin. ‘^But no,” he continued, and his 
brown cheeks became pale — ^Hhis is 
something worse than a wind-squall. 
Hark, hark ! there it comes on howling. 
The sky is growing darker every minute. 
Merciful Father! here are the snow flakes 
whirling down 1 Away, away, my lad 1 
Leave everything be, gather all your 
strength so that we can get to the boat 
and cover ourselves up in the wolf-skin. 
Away -as fast as your feet can carry you.” 

No words were necessary to stimulate 
Leo, for he knew, as well as Martin, that 
this snow-storm might cost them both 
their lives, unless they could reach some 
shelter. If they reached the boat, that 


156 LEO REMBRANDT. 

would help them, for they could draw it 
on the ice, turn it over, and crawl under 
it. There they could stay like a snake 
in its hole, and the storm might rage and 
howl at pleasure. They could be safe 
from its fury and violence until it was 
over. The thick wolf-skin would protect 
them sufficiently from the penetrating 
cold which always accompanies a snow- 
storm in the northern regions, and so 
there would have been no cause for ex- 
traordinary anxiety if Elshoft had only 
acted as an honest, true man, and had 
brought his boat to the place indicated. 

Without saying another word, which 
in any case would have been swallowed 
up in the howling of the hurricane, Mar- 
tin and Leo ran through the ravine, 
whose wall fortunately protected them 
somewhat from the violence of the terri- 
ble storm. When they came out on the 
other side, the storm suddenly slackened, 
the fine snow-flakes fell less rapidly, and 
it seemed as though the storm, that had 


THE BEAR HUNT. 157 

SO suddenly come on, was about as sud- 
denly to cease. 

are saved!’’ said Leo, taking a 
long breath. The air is calm again, 
and the sky is clearing off.” 

Go ahead, go ahead, my lad 1” replied 
Martin. ^^It is only a pause, during 
which the storm will gather fresh power, 
and then will break forth with greater 
violence. God grant only that Elshoft 
has his boat at the right place 1” 

They ran forward with increased speed. 
In a few minutes they reached the edge 
of the ice-field, and sought their com- 
panion with anxious hearts. But as far 
as their eyes could reach, there was no 
trace of the boat to be discovered, and 
clenching his teeth to conceal his agita- 
tion, Martin groaned out : We are lost ! 
The traitorous dog has left us in the 
lurch I My poor, poor Leo, why must I 
take you with me to destruction ?” 

Leo turned his eyes from the shore out 
to the sea, and a low cry of astonishment 
escaped from his lips. 


158 


LEO REMBBANDT. 


What is it ?” asked Martin. 

^^See there” — replied Leo — ^Hhere is 
the boat out in the ocean, and Elshoft is 
rowing with all his might for the ship.” 

The cloud, which had up to this time 
hung thick and heavy over the water, 
was slightly lighted up, and Martin also 
saw the boat plainly. It was still within 
reach of his voice, and, holding both his 
hands before his mouth, to increase the 
sound, he shouted in a voice of thunder : 

Boat, ahoy ! Boat, ahoy !” 

Elshoft undoubtedly heard the shout, 
for he turned his head towards the coast 
he was leaving and ceased rowing, evi- 
dently undetermined what he should do. 

The rascal wants to desert us !” said 
Martin. To save his own miserable 
life he deserts us; otherwise he would 
not have left the place where duty and 
honor should have compelled him to re- 
main. But hark, what’s that?” 

A dull sound coming over the sea, vi- 
brated through the air. Another fol- 


THE BEAR HUNT. 159 

lowed, and in a short space of time a 
third. 

Signal guns from the Dolphin, recall- 
ing us to the ship !” said Leo. 

Yes,” addedr Martin bitterly, and 
that rascal has heard them as well as we 
have. See how rapidly he rows off, turn- 
ing his back upon us ! Miserable villain ! 
the judgment of Heaven will reach you, 
even if you do escape ours. Now, Leo, 
there is no help for us, save only our 
powers of endurance and our heavenly 
Father above. We must go back to the 
bear, and cover ourselves up in his. skin 
until the storm, that is ready to burst 
upon us, shall be past. Come, come, 
every minute in our present situation is 
precious.” 

Both the men hurried back to the ra- 
vine, and had scarcely reached it, when 
the storm broke loose and covered them 
with masses of snow. It became, at the 
same time, so extremely cold, that the 
moisture of the breath froze about their 


160 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


mouths, and a paralyzing numbness seized 
the limbs of the less hardy Leo. 

I can’t go any further !” he groaned 
out, and leaned against the side of the 
ravine for support, wholly exhausted. 

Save yourself, Martin, and leave me to 
my fate.” 

“God forbid!” replied Martin. “Here 
lean upon my arm — so — and now for- 
ward 1” 

Leo tried to drag along, but after a few 
steps, his limbs refused to do service, and 
he swooned away. 

“Gracious Father, lend us Thy aid, for 
the sake of Thy Son, our Saviour!” cried 
Martin, in despair. “Leo, Leo, you must 
go on with me, or you’ll be stiff and stark 
in five minutes.’’ 

“Then let me die!” stammered Leo. 
“ My strength is all gone.” 

Martin cast a wild look upwards, and 
wrung his hands. 

“No, no!” he muttered then to himself 
— “I will save you — or die with you. 


THE BEAR HUNT. 161 

God will assist me and give me the neces- 
sary strength.” 

He bent over Leo, lifted him up, put 
the half-stiffened youth over his shoulder, 
and ran with him through the ravine. 
Breathless and exhausted he reached the 
spot where the bear lay. With one jerk 
be tore the remainder of the skin from 
the animal, rolled it around Leo, himself 
and the young cub, and soon found that 
life and motion were restored to the 
frozen limbs of his young friend. Leo 
sighed, and asked : Where am I?” 

In safety, at least for the present !” 
shouted old Martin. “ The bear’s skin 
and the young bear have saved us. We 
are lying here warm, snugly wrapped up, 
and the little shaggy fellow throws out 
heat like a stove. Only have patience, 
Leo ! All may yet be well, if the storm 
doesn’t last too long and the Dolphin isn’t 
torn from her anchorage. Gold, wind, 
and snow — these three enemies cannot 
harm us now.’’ 

Although our friends did not suffer 

11 


162 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


from the fearful storm, so far as bodily 
comfort was concerned, still the roaring 
sounded awfully in their ears. They 
heard the raging and the howling of the 
storm, and in the midst of all this, occa- 
sionally a fearful crash, which seemed to 
shake the very foundations of the earth. 
They found out afterwards, from their 
own observations, that those monstrous 
crashing sounds were produced by ice- 
bergs,"^ which, being undermined by the 
dashing waves, lost their centres of grav- 

^ The formation of ice-bergs is explained in the following 
manner ; The snow that falls in immense quantities, every 
year, upon the barren regions of the polar zone, is melted dur- 
ing the short season of summer, and gathers itself together in 
countless brooks and rivulets, which flow towards the larger 
streams and the coast. Here the chilled water soon freezes^ 
and receives a new layer of ice every year, so that, perhaps, in 
the course of centuries, the mass of ice may increase so as to 
form a mountain, several thousand feet high. The melting of 
the snow, that falls upon this monstrous mass of ice, serves 
both for its increase and to fill its cavities and fissures, thus 
making the whole compact and smooth. The incessant motion 
of the water of the sea gradually undermines the base of the 
ice-berg, and then there is only required some extraordinary 
concussion, such as that produced by a storm, to plunge the 
immense mass with a terrible crash into the sea. The ice-berg 
floats away as if it were an island in the sea, until, being 
driven southward by winds and currents, it is gradually dis- 
solved and lost in the great Atlantic ocean. 


THE BEAR HUNT. 


163 


ity, and were torn loose from the shore 
and plunged into the sea with a sound 
like that of an earthquake. 

Not without fear and anxious care did 
Martin and Leo await the quieting of the 
excited elements. Many long and tedious 
hours passed by before they dared to leave 
their place of refuge, and to free them- 
selves from the thick masses of snow that 
had been piled upon their bodies. 




CHAPTER IX 

. THE BOAT. 


EARLY twenty-four hours had 
elapsed since Martin and Leo 
had been, so to speak, buried alive, when 
the former suddenly was aroused from a 
state of stupefaction — it could scarcely 
be called sleep. He had felt something 
cold and moist on his face, and when he 
raised up he heard a slight rustling, and 
all became quiet again. 

“Are you awake, Leo?’' asked the pilot, 
gently. “ A fox awoke me just now.” 

“ I am quite awake,” replied Leo, who 
had been aroused by the sudden move- 
ment of his companion. 

“It seems to me that the storm is 
over,” continued Martin. “At least I 
164 



THE BOAT. 


165 


hear nothing now but the breathing of 
our cub, who appears to be quite con- 
tented in his mother’s skin. Let us try 
to creep out of our grave, Leo !” 

Groping around in the dark Martin 
very soon found one end of the bear-skin, 
and threw it off. Extending his hand, 
he reached the snow, and tried to push it 
to one side as far as possible. This was 
a difficult task, because the snow was fine 
and light, and couldn’t be made to adhere, 
but kept sliding back like sand whenever 
Martin succeeded in forming a pile. Leo, 
however, came to his assistance, and by 
their united efforts they succeeded at last 
in working through a distance of several 
feet. 

^^An immense quantity of snow must 
have fallen,” said Leo, impatiently. 

Shan’t we soon come to day-light ?” 

Only have patience !” replied Martin. 

I begin to recognize a faint glimmer, 
which must come from the light of the 
Sun. Ha, there’s the air — but it’s as cold 


as ice. 


166 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Indeed, it was as cold as ice — that cur- 
rent of air which forced its way through 
the opening made in their snow-cave — if 
we may make use of that term to desig- 
nate the place of refuge of our friends. 
Martin drew his hand back quickly, and 
seemed but little disposed to desert his 
warm bed. 

This is foolishness !” he muttered to 
himself after a little while. We must 
go out, if we want to find the Dolphin, 
and therefore let us be quick about it.’’ 

With renewed zeal he resumed his in- 
terrupted work, and in a minute there- 
after sprang out, and Leo followed him 
quickly. 

The transition from the absolute dark- 
ness that reigned in their place of refuge, 
to the clear light of the sun, which was 
reflected from a boundless expanse of daz- 
zling snow, was so sudden, that it was 
some time before they could use their 
eyes. At length, when they opened 
them, they saw nothing on all sides but 
a wide expanse of snow, and back of all 


THE BOAT. 


1G7 


were the jagged icy peaks of Spitzbergen, 
standing out in the clear atmosphere like 
enormous crystals. The ice-berg, through 
whose ravine they had found their way 
to their place of refuge, had entirely dis- 
appeared, and they could discover only a 
narrow strip of sea in the far South. The 
whole space between them and it was 
filled with immense sheets of ice, covered 
with snow, and separate small ice-bergs, 
that had been somewhat forced together 
by the violence of the storm. The severe 
cold had bound the separate sheets of ice 
together into one solid, compact mass, and 
the snow was spread over it like a daz- 
zling white cloth. 

‘^Father in Heaven protect us!” ex- 
claimed the honest pilot, after he had 
stood staring for a long time in blank 
amazement. ^^What has become of the 
Dolphin ? If the storm has driven her 
to the.^South, then we are undoubtedly 
lost!” 

That would be awful !” said Leo, anx- 
iously. Oh my poor mother ! She will 


168 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


weep her eyes out, if she is compelled to 
consider me as lost. But no, Martin, we 
mustn’t give up hope. If Elshoft suc- 
ceeded in getting on board, then Captain 
Bertram will know that we are alive, and 
will wait for our return. We must cross 
the ice-field and go to the sea.” 

Martin shook his head sadly. “ It is 
impossible,” he said. Perfectly impos- 
sible, to walk over this field, where, with 
every step, you will sink knee-deep in the 
snow. It would take days to reach the 
sea. No, give up that thought, my lad ! 
Before we made half the distance, we 
should sink from exhaustion, and die from 
hunger or cold. We mustn’t hope that 
Captain Bertram is waiting for us. The 
Northern Winter is here, and every minute 
that the Captain delays, may bring de- 
struction to his vessel and her crew. God 
is our only hope and support in our ex- 
tremity ! Nothing is left for us but to 
rally all the courage, strength and perse- 
verance possible, so as to be able to en- 
dure the terrors of the Winter, which now 


THE BOAT. 


169 


threatens us. We are prisoners, my poor 
lad, and there is no hope of release, be- 
fore next Summer from our boundless, 
cheerless prison. God help us ! It is a 
hard trial that our heavenly Father has 
laid upon us !” 

The brave pilot looked dejectedly 
about him, while Leo wrung his hands 
in despair. But he bewailed his own fate 
less than that of his poor mother, who 
loved him so tenderly, and would be so 
greatly distressed when the Dolphin re- 
turned without bringing her son to her 
arms. He burst into tears, as he ima- 
gined her grief and wept aloud. Martin 
looked at him with deep compassion. 

Yes, yes, my poor fellow, you have a 
right to weep,^' he said. God only 
knows what a terrible fate is before us, 
and whether we shall be able to endure 
this Winter with its long, long night, its 
severe cold and its manifold privations. 
But I pledge myself, my lad, to take care 
of you, as a father would of his child, and 
may my distress be doubled, if I don’t 


170 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


protect you with all my strength from 
the worst. 

Only cheer up, cheer up, my dear . 
boy. We need not cast away all hope. 
With strength and perseverance, man 
can overcome many a difficulty which 
would conquer him, if he had a cowardly 
heart. In consequence of my silly anx- 
iety for the chase, you have been brought 
to this terrible situation ; but my experi- 
ence and my good will, shall at least pro- 
tect you from the worst consequences. If 
I were fully satisfied that that fellow 
Elshoft was as great a rascal as his name- 
sake in Bremen, then this misfortune 
would be intolerable ; but who dare ima- 
gine such vile wickedness? To leave 
friends and comrades in danger, to deliver 
them up to an almost certain death, 
while it was still possible to save them — 
fy ! this is infamous !” 

But he would have exposed his own 
life, if he had wished to save us,’' said 
Leo, apologetically. 

What are you saying, my lad ? 


THE BOAT, 


171 


Would you have acted so, had you been 
in his place? Certainly not. No, indeed, 
nor I either. This circumstance alone is 
enough to condemn the fellow. Well ! 
the Judge above will punish him for his 
misdeeds when his hour comes. But 
come now, Leo ! The fellow is not worth 
enough, to put us out of humor on his ac- 
count. Let us now rather busy ourselves 
in seeking a place, where protected from 
the north and east winds, we may make 
our winter quarters. Don’t grieve, lad ! 
We shall certainly have months of severe 
trial, but they will at last pass away.” 

But shouldn’t we make an effort at 
least to get back to the Dolphin ?” in- 
quired Leo. Let us climb that hill, 
Martin. It is not too high for us, and 
then, if our ship is in the neighborhood, 
we can certainly see it from the summit.” 

Useless, perfectly useless, Leo. I 
know it, but you shall have your way,” 
replied the pilot, at the same time going 
in the direction of the hill indicated. 

After a fatiguing travel of half an hour. 


172 LEO REMBRANDT. 

the base of the hill was reached, and 
Martin was about undertaking the ascent 
on the side which was the least steep 
when a shout from Leo caused him to 
pause. 

^^Whafs this, Martin?” he asked, 
pointing to a great, black mass that pro- 
jected a little above the snow. 

‘^What could it be?” replied Martin. 

A wreck of a ship which the wind has 
driven this way, and a mighty wave has 
tossed up on the ice. You can see plainly, 
in spite of the ice, that we are here close 
by the sea. Let us examine it after we 
have satisfied ourselves that nothing more 
is to be hoped from the Dolphin.” 

The two sailors, although accustomed 
to climbing, were obliged to labor very 
hard in making the ascent. After many 
futile efforts, they succeeded at length in 
reaching the summit, and looked down, 
from it, upon the narrow strip of open sea 
which was visible. For a little while Leo 
thought he saw a sail, and pointed it out 
to Martin. The latter soon showed him 


THE BOAT. 


173 


that he was deceived, having taken a 
moving ice-berg for a sail. The Dolphin 
had disappeared, and was probably sailing 
far away from the point that was visible 
to our friends. 

Once more Leo’s heart was convulsed 
with anguish arising from disappointed 
hope. Then finally he collected all his 
energies, and said : 

Well, so be it ! What God does, is 
well done 1 Let us, whom He has just 
preserved from death during the perils of 
the storm, not murmur in the least at His 
dispensations I Our hearts are as wax in 
His hands ; and as steel also, if He gives 
them strength. Has not our Saviour 
said : ^ Come unto me, all ye that labor 
and are heavy-laden,’ and ^Whatsoever 
ye shall ask the Father in my name He 
will give it to you ?’ Let us then, trust- 
ing in His guardian care through Christ’s 
love for us, ask the Lord to be pur tower 
of strength in this time of trouble. 

My poor mother will find consolation 
and comfort in hope, resting upon His 


174 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


providence and love. And Martin, let us 
be strong in the confident belief that it is 
God’s will that has banished us to these 
barren coasts ! With such Christian 
faith one can bear all things. Trust in 
God and hope in His merciful assistance 
in our hour of need, through our Saviour, 
Jesus Christ. Let this be the staff upon 
which we lean !” 

Amen ! so be it, my good boy,” re- 
plied Martin, very much moved and af- 
fected. If you, a weak lad, do not 
despair in our hour of distress, then must 
I, a hardy old sailor, stand my ground 
also. But let us get away from here, for 
the day will hardly last more than an 
hour, and we must do a great deal before 
night sets in. Let us first examine the 
wreck that you have discovered. If it 
can be of no other use, it will answer at 
least to warm the snow hut, which we 
must build to protect ourselves against 
the cold.” 

The two hermits, for so they might 
properly be called, as they were cut off 


THE BOAT. 


175 


from all habitable lands, and were com- 
pelled to live solitary and doleful lives in 
a wild solitude, hurried down the hill and 
reached its base in a few minutes ; finding 
the descent much easier and more quickly 
made than the ascent. They soon reached 
the supposed wreck, and with their hands 
and feet pushed away on one side the 
snow in which it was buried. 

Ha ! what’s this ?” cried Martin, sud- 
denly, pausing in his work. A piece of 
a fur ! How did it get here ? But we 
shall soon find more about it, for I begin 
now to see that this isn’t a wreck but a 
boat in very good condition. Quick, Leo, 
let us find out all about it before night- 
fall.” 

The snow was now pushed aside with 
redoubled zeal, and the work had one 
good effect at least, in keeping Martin and 
Leo from feeling the intense cold that 
prevailed. Their hands, which were at 
first numb and stiff, glowed like fire, and 
drops of perspiration rolled from their 
foreheads. 


176 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


This is capital exercise said Leo, 
resting a moment to take breath. 

Certainly !” replied Martin. And 
exercise in the open air is the only means 
left us to protect ourselves against the 
effects of a temperature, in comparison 
with which the present is only the mild 
frost of an autumn evening. But look 
here, Leo, if I were not fully satisfied 
that that rascally Elshoft had fled with 
our boat, I should be certain this was 
ours.” 

It looks astonishingly like it,” said Leo. 

But all the boats of the whale fishers 
are as much alike as eggs. I believe that 
we can get rid of the rest of the snow by 
turning the boat over.” 

Not yet — we must first make an ex- 
cavation alongside of it, so that we can 
turn it over more easily. Only help me, 
it can soon be done.” 

They quickly made the excavation, and 
then, using all their strength, they raised 
up the boat on one side. The heavy 
boat yielded to their efforts, tottered. 


THE BOAT. 


177 


and at length fell, keel downwards, by 
the force of its own weight, into the ex- 
cavation. 

An exclamation of extreme surprise 
burst simultaneously from the lips of the 
two friends ; for, in the space which the 
boat had covered, there was now seen a 
man’s body stretched out on the ice partly 
covered up in the fur ! And they recog- 
nized it as the faithless Elshoft, who had 
so shamefully deserted them in their hour 
of danger. He was pale and stiff, and 
the spirit to all appearances had left the 
body. 

See how the hand of God has taken 
the rascal away, in the midst of his sins !” 
said Martin, breaking the silence that fol- 
lowed this unlooked for discovery. God 
is just ! That fellow, renouncing all truth 
and greatness of soul, sought flight, and 
the Lord hurled him back upon this ice, 
to give us a sign that He would be mind- 
ful of us in our extremity. Yes, the Lord 
is just, and no evil doer can escape His 
chastening arm.” 

12 


178 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


But, Martin, there may be still some 
life in the unfortunate man,” said Leo. 

Let us try to save him !” 

‘^Not I. My hand shall not touch 
him, whom the lightning of God’s wrath 
has visited !” replied the honest, but in- 
dignant old Pilot, forgetting, for the time, 
the mercy that the Lord had just shown 
him, in sparing his own life. Let his 
corpse lie there in the open air as food for 
the bears and foxes ! I shall have nothing 
to do with him.” 

Oh Martin — suppose he returned of 
his own free will to this wild waste in or- 
der to save ns, to bring us assistance, or 
even to share in good faith our misfor- 
tune ?” cried out Leo, nobly. Our Lord 
commands us to love even our enemies, 
and this is likely not an enemy, but possi- 
bly a good, faithful comrade !” 

Martin made no answer to these words, 
but turned his back upon his young 
friend. Leo took hold of the unfortunate 
man quickly, rubbed his hands and face 
with snow, continuing his exertions until 


THE BOAT. 179 

a gentle sigh escaped from the lips of the 
benumbed man. 

He lives, Martin ! he lives !” he 
shouted aloud. For God’s sake lend 
me your assistance. If we leave him 
here helpless, we shall be murderers in 
the sight of God and before the bar of our 
consciences.” 

Leo now redoubled his efforts, and no- 
ticed with great satisfaction that his 
words had not been said without making 
an impression upon Martin. The old Pi- 
lot drew near reluctantly, it is true, and 
with a dissatisfied expression of face, and 
assisted in rescuing from the bonds of 
death an enemy, for in this light he 
looked upon Elshoft now. As soon as he 
was actively engaged, the bitterness dis- 
appeared from his brave heart, and its icy 
walls melted, like the snow with which 
he was rubbing his stiff limbs. His stern, 
dark countenance cleared up, his firmly 
closed lips relaxed into a smile, and after 
a few minutes he said : 

He is surely returning to his senses ! 


180 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Well, if it is God’s will that the knave 
should return to life in order that he may 
repent of, and atone for, his sins, how dare 
I prevent it? See there, Leo, he opens 
his eyes ! Let us be lively ! Rub his 
breast well, and I will attend to his tem- 
ples. Hurrah ! There he lives again !” 

In fact, under the hands of the good 
Samaritans, Conrad Elshoft was gradu- 
ally restored to consciousness. Warmth 
and feeling of life returned to his stif- 
fened limbs; he opened his eyes, stretched 
himself like a man who awakes from a 
long profound slumber, and finally opened 
his lips with the question : Oh Lord, 
where am I ?” 

Well, you are not exactly in a four- 
post bedstead with silk curtains,” an- 
swered Martin, ^^but you have been saved 
for this time, I believe, and that is more 
than I thought you would be ten minutes 
ago. God grant that this may be a bless- 
ing, fellow, to you, and that you may re- 
pent and become a better man ! But I will 
lecture you no further now ; I reserve 


THE BOAT. 181 

that for a more suitable occasion. Drink 
this !" 

He applied to the lips of the fainting 
man a flask, that he had discovered along 
with some other articles in the boat, and 
poured some of the liquor into his mouth. 
Conrad soon came more fully to himself. 
Fresh vital energy flowed through his 
stiffened limbs, and he got up on his feet. 

Martin — Leo — do I owe my life to 
you two T he stammered, turning his 
eye from one to the other and gasping for 
breath. Oh Lord, this have I not de- 
served from them 

Certainly not !” blustered out the old 
pilot, and it was my idea that you should 
continue to lie there until the Kesurrec- 
tion trumpet should awake you, but Leo, 
the brave lad, sprang to your help and — 
well — I too was obliged to help you. But 
if you want to thank anybody, turn to 
Leo, for I have had, in fact, but little to 
do with the whole work of your resto- 
ration.” 

While the old pilot was speaking these 


182 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


hard words, even then his eyes flashed 
with joy at the restoration of Conrad, and 
probably he conceived a greater liking for 
him than he had ever had before. It is 
always so in life, that we love those most 
to whom we have unselflshly done the 
most good ; and when the Lord says : lave 
your enemies, He implies that we should 
do them good out of a kind spirit, whence 
love itself will flow. 

Elshoft now heard but few of Martin’s 
words, and but half-understood the mean- 
ing of these. His troubled face exhibited, 
in turns, burning redness and corpse-like 
paleness, whilst he gazed at Leo with a 
strange expression in his eye. Then he 
suddenly seized the lad’s hand, pressed it 
convulsively in his own, and said in a 
half-smothered voice, while tears hot and 
heavy rolled down his cheeks : I thank 
you, noble-hearted friend, I thank you ! 
Yes, and I promise, by God’s assistance, 
that I will recompense you for the injury 
done to you and yours! 0 heavenly 


THE BOAT. 183 

Father, this is a call from Thee to repent- 
ance and a better life !” 

Leo smiled pleasantly, and returned the 
grasp of Conrad’s hand kindly, while 
Martin blustered out again with his rough 
voice : 

Well! Heaven grant it, and strengthen 
you in your good resolutions 1 It was a 
rascally trick — to think of leaving us 
helpless upon this island. A real, genu- 
ine, unmitigated, rascally trick I But your 
penitence atones for it, and your best 
penance is to avoid sin hereafter. Con- 
duct yourself uprightly so long as we 
shall be obliged to remain upon this 
island, and there shall be no further 
reference made to the affair. No one 
who has a right heart betrays a good 
comrade, and in fact, good companionship 
is very essential now, as a winter in 
Spitzbergen isn’t a pleasure party. But 
come along now, if you have strength 
enough 1 The sun has already set, and 
we must go back to our old quarters, to 
keep our noses and ears from being frozen 


184 LEO REMBRANDT. 

during the night. The wind blows sharp 
from the norths and cuts like a knife.” 

Conrad stood up with difficulty, and 
tried, with the aid of Martin and Leo, to 
drag himself along. But he was still too 
weak to make such great exertion, -and 
he sank down before he had taken twenty 
steps. 

Only leave me here, friends !” he en- 
treated, with feeble voice. Wrap me up 
in the skin, and turn the boat over me, 
and I shall get along very well until to- 
morrow morning. 

Martin and Leo looked at him, and the 
former shrugged his shoulders. 

Hum ! the boat, in fact, is just as good 
as the bear-skin, especially since we have 
been so lucky as to find the wolf-skin for 
a covering,” he said, after a little reflec- 
tion. If we had only the bear’s cub 
with us ! The little fellow is as good as 
a common stove. You remain here, Leo, 
and wrap the half-frozen fellow up warmly. 
I will go over for the young bear ; I will 
get a roast from the old one, and her skin. 


THE BOAT. 


185 


and bring them all back with me. We 
have not eaten anything for more than 
four and twenty hours, and a piece of 
meat will not be objectionable to any 
one.” 

Leo made some objections to this ar- 
rangement, wishing to go himself and 
leave Conrad in Martin’s care, but the 
latter paid no attention to his objections, 
and without further remark started for 
their previous quarters. In the mean- 
while, Leo brought Conrad, who was com- 
pletely exhausted, to the boat, wrapped 
him up carefully in the wolf-skin and 
prepared a place for him in the inside 
of the boat, so that he might be protected 
from the sharp, cutting wind. Conrad 
soon fell into a deep sleep, and Leo him- 
self felt very much fatigued. He dug a 
hole in the snow, wrapped a skin around 
him, and waited impatiently for the re- 
turn of Martin. 

After two hours had passed away he 
came back. The young bear had been 
tied to a small rope, and was driven before 


186 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


him as if it were a sheep or goat. Behind 
him he dragged the skin of the old bear, 
in which he had wrapped one of its hams, 
and in his hand he carried a rifle which 
had been dug out of the snow by the little 
bear. He breathed freely and easily, 
when he threw his load into the boat, for 
the heavy weight and his tiresome walk 
through snow three feet deep, had been 
very exhausting. 

That’s done !” he said. Now, Leo, 
first of all, let us lift the boat over, and 
then build a good fire to roast our meat. 
In an hour all can be done, and after 
that our sleep will be all the sweeter to 
us. Where did you put that fellow — 
Conrad?” 

He is asleep !” replied Leo, pointing 
him out. The poor fellow is almost 
dead with fatigue.” 

Well, let him sleep until we can put 
a piece of roasted bear-meat under his 
nose,” said Martin, immediately making 
preparations for kindling a. fire. A pair 
of useless oars, which had been found in 


THE BOAT. 


187 


the boat, were broKen up and, by the aid 
of a handful of tarred oakum and some 
gunpowder, the red tongued flames were 
soon made to shoot forth. The iroil ram- 
rod of the rifle served as a spit. Martin 
cut some choice slices from the bear-ham, 
strung them on the ramrod, and roasted 
them as nicely as though he had always 
followed the business of cook. Leo as- 
sisted him in silence, and Martin made 
but few remarks about their sleeping 
comrade, giving his opinion as to the rea- 
sons that might have impelled him to 
take to flight and leave his companions in 
trouble. 

It was fear, Leo, fear and cowardice !’' 
he said. When he saw the storm and 
the snow blowing about him, his heart 
failed, and he rushed off to reach the 
Dolphin in safety. It may be that he 
supposed we had been killed in the bear- 
fight, and that his treachery would escape 
suspicion if he could only reach the ves- 
sel. But Heaven did not suffer him to 
reap the fruits of his knavery. A tornado 


188 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


probably seized him, and hurled him back 
to the place he had just left. Now let us 
see how he will act hereafter. If he 
proves to be only a tolerably good fellow, 
we will not hereafter reproach him with 
his bad conduct.’’ 

It did not occur to the honest pilot 
that Elshoft might have had still other 
reasons for his conduct ; he didn’t think 
that Conrad was in some way related to 
the Elshoft, who had without remorse 
swindled Leo’s mother, and had been, 
through his unrighteous persecution, the 
direct cause that obliged Leo to spend a 
terrible winter, and probably even longer, 
on the inhospitable shores of Spitzbergen. 
Leo also attributed Conrad’s base flight 
to the desire alone of saving his own life, 
and from the natural inclination of his 
heart to forgiveness, readily pardoned a 
cowardice, for which his comrade had 
nearly paid with his life. 

When the meat was cooked, Conrad 
was aroused, and the three men, thus cut 
off from the habitable world, then ate 


THE BOAT. 


189 


their supper of- simple but nourishing 
food. After this, with united strength, 
they tilted the boat oyer again, crept 
under it, wrapped themselves in the 
skins, took the cub in with them after 
having given him his share of the supper, 
and slept without the slightest disturb- 
ance, through the whole night, until the 
following morning, which was to awaken 
them to fresh troubles and hardships. 





CHAPTER X. 


THE HERMITS. 



HE sun was not yet above the 
horizon, although the light of 
his refracted rays had already driven 
away the darkness of the night, when 
Martin aroused his sleeping comrades 
with a loud shout. He knew better 
than they that much was to be done in 
order that they might be able to defy suc- 
cessfully the severity of the winter. Old 
Martin was not the man to omit any 
necessary precaution, through careless- 
ness or indolence. 

He made his comrades confess the neces- 
sity of securing a safe place of lodgings. 
He proposed that, with their united ener- 
gies, they should build a snow-hut, such 
as the Greenlanders are in the habit of 
190 


THE HERMITS. 


191 


using during the severity of their Winters. 
Leo and Conrad signified their willing- 
ness to go to work at once. 

Conrad mentioned, however, that while 
living in Holland, where he was em- 
ployed as a sailor on a merchant-man, he 
had heard it said that an attempt had 
been made, some years before, by the 
Dutch whale fishers, to pass their Winters 
in Spitzbergen, and that they had erected 
for this purpose, a strong house of heavy 
timbers. This was probably still in good 
condition, and habitable, although it had 
been deserted for years. He proposed 
that they should make a search for this 
house, which would undoubtedly furnish 
them better protection than a hut made 
of snow and ice. 

That would be excellent,’' replied 
Leo, quickly, but where shall we find 
the hut? Spitzbergen is a large place, 
and before we could finish an examina- 
tion of all portions of the island, we 
might die of hunger or cold.” 

After a short consultation it was re- 


192 LEO REMBRANDT. 

solved to institute a careful search along 
the south coast of Spitzbergen, as in all 
probability the house would be found 
there, if still in existence. 

Let us see !” said old Martin. If 
the Hollanders needed such a house, they 
must have built it undoubtedly at a point, 
where they might easily recognize a ves- 
sel sailing this way in Summer, and where 
also they would be protected at the same 
time, from the terrible Northern and 
North-eastern storms in Winter. They 
could only accomplish this by placing the 
house at the foot of a mountain which 
would be as near as possible to the coast. 
In looking around, we see two such moun- 
tains, one on the right, and the other on 
the left, for that mountain in the back- 
ground is so far from the coast, that it 
would have been folly to have built at its 
foot. 

Now you see, children, my plan was 
to build our snow hut under the rocky 
wall on the right, which bids defiance to 
aiiy storm from the North, while the 


THE HERMITS. 


193 


craggy projection gives full protection 
against an East wind. That location is 
undoubtedly the best on the South side 
of the island, and I shall be greatly de- 
ceived, if the prudent Hollanders did not 
come to the same conclusion. If they 
built a house, they must have leaned it 
against that rocky wall. Now, my pro- 
position is to go there and examine the 
spot. 

If we find the house — good, it will be 
a blessing from God, for which we must 
thank Him upon our knees ; if we don’t 
find it, we will seek no further, for I am 
firmly convinced, there could be none 
anywhere else along the coast. We shall 
have lost no time in our search, for we 
can begin our own hut without delay. It 
may be small and defective, but it will 
serve at least to protect us from the 
worst. Forward, my lads !” 

The reasons, advanced by Martin, were 
so clear and convincing, that neither Leo 
nor Conrad objected, and without further 
remark they all started off in the direc- 
13 


194 LEO REMBRANDT. , 

tion indicated by Martin. They reached 
the foot of the rocks, whose steep walls 
extended to the snow-covered summit, in 
half an hour, and began their search in si- 
lence. Martin examined the angle made 
by the wall and the craggy projection, 
but his search was in vain. Leo and 
Conrad, searching along the wall, found 
nothing but piles of snow, which the wind 
had heaped up into little hills, and then 
returned to Martin. 

‘‘ Don’t be down-hearted, my lads !’’ 
said the latter, consoling them. I didn’t 
believe in the existence of the house from 
the first, because the Hollanders are very 
frugal and painstaking, and if the house 
had been worth anything, they would 
have taken it away. Let us give up that 
idea ; and now help me to push the snow 
on one side, so that we may get a solid 
foundation for our own house. This is 
the most protected spot on the whole 
coast, and we must not suffer it to be un- 
occupied. Briskly to work, lads! In 


THE HERMITS. 195 

work we will best forget all unnecessary 
sorrow and thoughts.” 

As they had previously determined 
that a kind of foundation for the house 
must be dug out of the snow, our three 
adventurers had brought the oars along 
to answer the purpose of spades and 
shovels. Notwithstanding their disap- 
pointed hopes, they proceeded quietly to 
^ their work, and in the course of an hour 
they had made quite a large clearing 
away of the snow. Still they had not 
reached solid foundation, and Martin was 
about to begin his contemplated structure 
upon a seemingly thick crust of ice, when 
it occurred to him that he ought to test 
its strength by a powerful blow with his 
oar. He struck it heavily — the ice 
cracked, split, gave way under the feet of 
the stout sailor, and the unfortunate man 
with a loud shriek disappeared. 

Merciful Father, protect us ! Oh 
Martin !” cried out Leo, falling as pale as 
death upon his knees and looking down 
into the black abyss, that had so suddenly 


196 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


swallowed up his only friend. While he 
lay there, clasping his hands together in 
despair, stiff, pale and motionless as a 
stone statue, Conrad stood behind him 
with knit brows, colorless cheeks and lips, 
his dark shining eyes fixed upon Leo with 
an incomprehensible expression. Then 
he took a step forward with raised hands, 
and muttered in a low tone and with a 
hollow, tremulous voice : The grave con- 
ceals everything, and no voice could be 
heard from this abyss. Your honor be- 
fore the world, father, would be sd>ved if 
he should disappear like his friend !” 

His hand moved towards Leo, — a touch, 
a push and — all would be over. Then 
Leo, who had no suspicion of the dark, 
dreadful thoughts that were raging in 
Conrad’s excited brain, could not have 
made the slightest resistance. His life 
seemed to hang upon a thread. Suddenly 
Conrad drew back terror-stricken, and 
threw himself down in the snow, conceal- 
ing his fixce in his hands, and sobbed out : 

No, no, I dare not ! Depart from me. 


THE HERMITS. 


197 


thou tempter ! 0 Lord, in Thy mercy, 

save me from myself! For Christ’s sake 
deliver me not into the power of the devil! 
No, no, let not these hands destroy the 
preserver of my own life !” 

Conrad’s voice died away in a convul- 
sive sob, and his whole body trembled 
like the young foliage of the aspen among 
the whispers of the evening breeze. 

Leo did not observe him, — indeed he 
had not heard the words which Conrad 
had uttered aloud. He remained bowing 
down over the abyss, in whose depths 
Martin lay buried, and groaned in an- 
guish as great tears ran down his pale 
cheeks. 

Martin ! Oh Martin !” he screamed. 

Oh Lord have mercy upon me, and give 
me back my lost friend ! Martin ! Martin ! 
do you hear me?” 

All was quiet. No friendly voice re- 
plied to his wild cry of despair, and Leo 
threw himself back again upon the ice 
and wept bitterly. He had heard in his 
younger days that there were deep ravines 


198 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


and fissures in the ice, — often hidden over 
by thin deceptive coverings of snow — 
which brought certain destruction to the 
luckless person whose careless feet stepped 
upon them. Such a fissure he believed 
this to be, into which Martin had 
plunged, and his heart seemed wholly 
shattered and crushed by the loss he had 
so unexpectedly met. 

In the meantime Conrad had arisen, 
and with pallid, but composed counte- 
nance, approached the weeping Leo. 

Up, my lad !” he said to him. Don’t 
give way to grief! Grieving and wring- 
ing hands will accomplish nothing. We 
must try to rescue Martin 1” 

To rescue Martin !” exclaimed Leo, 
springing up from the ice. Ha, Conrad, 
you give me life again ! Do you believe 
that it is possible to rescue him ?” 

I hope so at least 1” replied Conrad. 

The fissure is probably not very deep, 
and if we work diligently we may be able 
to dig down where Martin is 1 Leo, let 
us at least try it.” 


THE HERMITS. 


199 


With frantic haste Leo seized an oar, 
and, without uttering a syllable in reply, 
began to work. Snow and ice were 
speedily thrown aside, when suddenly 
the lad paused as if he were paralyzed, 
clenched his teeth, and held his breath. 

Leo ! Conrad ! Halloo, my lads, are 
you still up there ?’' thus shouted a voice 
from below, which was answered by an 
exclamation of joy from Leo. 

He lives ! Heavenly Father, I thank 
Thee. Martin lives!” he cried, and his 
eyes were radiant with joy, as he directed 
a look of unutterable thankfulness to- 
wards the sky. Martin, are you un- 
hurt ? How can we best help you ?” 

I feel a little bit skinned and bruised,” 
was the answer from below — ‘-but my 
bones anyhow have not been broken by 
the fall, and my consciousness has re- 
turned. I feel as if I had recovered from 
a swoon. Have I lain here long ?” 

Not long. Not more than five or ten 
minutes,” replied Leo. ^^But how can 
we help you, Martin ? Shall I throw you 


200 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


down a rope, or shall we, Conrad and I, 
remove the ice at the side and come to 
you ?” 

Neither, my lad,’' replied Martin. 

Go away from the opening, so that some 
light may fall into my prison. At present 
I find myself very well, only I can’t make 
out what sort of a place this is.” 

Leo stepped back, and awaited patiently 
further instructions from Martin. ^^Oh 
Conrad !” he said to the latter, what a 
favor the Lord has granted us in preserv- 
ing our honest, faithful friend ! Without 
him, without his experience and assist- 
ance, we should certainly die in this bar- 
ren region, and would never see our homes 
again.” 

Yes, Leo ! I also thank God from the 
very bottom of my heart!” replied Con- 
rad. You can’t know how much — but 
indeed God has saved me as well as your- 
self during these terrible minutes. He 
has saved you without your being aware 
of it. But I here solemnly promise, by 
God’s assistance, that no temptation shall 


THE HERMITS. 


201 


hereafter overcome me, and that my 
hands and conscience shall henceforth be 
free from wicked deeds, if I lose all for 
it.’’ 

What are you talking about ? What 
have you done, Conrad ?” asked Leo, who, 
quite perplexed, could not penetrate the 
obscure meaning of his companion’s words. 
What has led you into temptation ?” 

Sin, my good comrade, sin !” answered 
Conrad. But silence now. At another 
time you shall know all, and then, I hope, 
you will pardon me, when you are con- 
vinced that I mean to act honorably and 
uprightly by you. Silence now ! I hear 
Martin’s voice again.” 

In fact the sound came from below, 
Conrad ! Leo !” and the two lads drew 
near the opening quickly. 

What’s the matter, Martin ?” asked 

Leo. 

Listen lads,” shouted the Pilot in re- 
ply, I believe that I have actually 
found the house that Conrad has been 
talking about. At least I fiiid myself sur- 


202 LEO REMBRANDT. 

rounded by walls made of stout timbers, 
and, as far as I can tell by the dim light 
that penetrates my prison, everything is 
in good order. Ha ! here is a door also 
— perhaps I can open it.” 

They now heard a dull pushing and 
shaking below, but it soon ceased. 

It can t be done !” cried Martin. ‘‘It 
only opens outwards, and the snow 
against it keeps me from getting out. 
There’s no question about it, that this is 
the Hollanders’ house, and the discovery 
is worth a few bumps and blue spots. It 
seems to be a solid structure, and I must 
have fallen down the chimney ! 

Listen now. Measure ten paces in 
a southwesterly direction. Then dig and 
shovel away as though your lives depend- 
ed on it. When you get deep enough you 
will be right against the door, and then 
we will break it open. I will try in the 
meantime what I can do below here. 
Throw me down an oar.” 

This was done forthwith, and Conrad 
and Leo began to make their excavation 


THE HERMITS. 


203 


at the spot indicated by Martin. They 
had many difficulties indeed to overcome, 
sometimes they encountered loose masses 
of snow, and then solid masses of ice, 
which offered serious resistance to their 
oars. With zealous perseverance, they 
overcame every obstacle finally, and after 
working for two hours, they found to 
their great joy, that they were quite near 
the object they were aiming at. A dull, 
continuous knocking was heard on the 
side where they supposed the entrance of 
the house to be, and this satisfied them 
that Martin was working as eagerly as 
they for his liberation. 

We must now dig on that side, since 
we are deep enough,” said Conrad. ‘^Dig 
away with me, Leo.” 

^^No, no!” replied Leo, ^Hhe house was 
certainly not built upon the snow, and 
hence it is useless to work at the side be- 
fore we reach the solid earth.” 

Conrad acknowledged the strength of 
the reasoning, and they continued to 
make the excavation deeper. In a few 


204 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


minutes Leo stood upon the solid, frozen 
ground, and saw that his supposition haf 
been correct. 

Now to the right he shouted. 
^^The wall that separates us from our 
friend can’t be more than a foot thick.” 

They undermined the wall of snow and 
ice in the hope that it would fall from ih 
own weight, and their efforts were suc- 
cessful, the walls began to shake ; some 
portions were falling. The two lads 
had scarcely time to spring back so as to 
avoid being buried under the mass, when 
the whole Parted and fell. A door, one 
foot in thickness, burst open, having at 
last yielded to Martin’s powerful strength. 

Some seconds elapsed before the re- 
united friends could see each other, for 
the loose snow was flying around, covering 
them all as with a thick cloud. When 
this cleared away, the two lads and 
Martin stood opposite each other alive 
and well, and with a cry of joy Leo 
sank into the arms of his noble friend. 
Conrad remained quietly standing along- 


THE HERMITS. 205 

side of, and looking with moistened eyes 
at, his companion. 

0 Lord God !” he said in a low tone 
of voice, how can I thank Thee enough 
for allowing me to enjoy this moment? 
Now I am full of joy — but what terrible 
qualms of conscience would be mine, had 
I yielded to the temptation! Grant, 
0 heavenly Father, for Jesus’ sake, that 
wicked thoughts may no longer find a 
home in my breast !” 

^^Well, Conrad, are you not glad that 
we have found each other again ?” said 
Martin, interrupting his companion’s 
soliloquy. 

From my heart I am glad 1” replied 
Conrad, approaching to shake Martin’s 
friendly hand extended to him. Yes, 
indeed, I am as glad as though I myself 
had been snatched from death.” 

Well, my lad, in the end we have 
found you a trusty comrade, although I 
was inclined to doubt it,” said Martin, 
slapping Conrad’s shoulder affectionately. 

Your true zeal has atoned for your little 


206 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


piece of rascality, and we shall never 
more refer to the fact that you deserted 
us when danger threatened. Let the story 
be forgotten and buried, and we will live 
together "^s trusty friends, until next 
Summer brings us home. 

Be of good courage, my lads ! Now 
that we have discovered this glorious 
house, I don’t fear the winter any more, 
and with God’s assistance, we shall be 
enabled to endure it. The house is in- 
deed an excellent discovery ; and now, as 
the daylight is shining brightly in it, let’s 
examine it closely.” 

The three hermits passed over the pile 
of snow, through the open door, into the 
house, and a brief but thorough examina- 
tion satisfied them that they could not 
have found a more convenient and suitable 
place for their protection. The whole 
house, although it had been deserted for 
several years, was in excellent condition, 
inasmuch as the snow, which a series of 
Northern winters had deposited upon and 
around it, had been its very best protec- 


THE HERMITS. 207 

tion against the destructive influences of 
the weather. ^ 

They found a stove inside, which was 
very well arranged for roasting and boil- 
ing, and in a bin by its side a considerable 
quantity of coal and wood, which, beyond 
a doubt, the Hollanders, following the dic- 
tates of philanthropy, had left there. 

In other respects, the house was rather 
empty. A rough table, evidently made 
from some pieces of ship lumber, and two 
chairs quite as rudely put together, were 
also found. In one of the sides of the 
room there was a fire-place opening into 
the chimney through which Martin had 
the fortunate fall. It had been used for 
smoking meat and fish, as some of its 
arrangements showed. Martin remarked 
that they could also use it for the same 
purpose, as they owned a large quantity 
of bear-meat fit for smoking. It was im- 
mediately resolved to bring the remaining 
portion of the bear to the house, to cut it 
into suitable pieces, and smoke them. It 
was also resolved to kill the cub, because 


208 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


they wouldn’t have too large a store of 
provisions laid up for the long severe 
winter ; and finally, that the boat should 
be brought near to the house in order to 
use it for fuel, if necessary. 

Martin then kindled a fire in the stove, 
and, with the view of keeping out the 
penetrating cold, closed the fire-place with 
a board fitted to it, which was unexpect- 
edly discovered, took an iron pot which 
he filled with snow and placed upon the 
stove, and then brought the rest of the 
bear-meat, to the house with the assist- 
ance of the other two. A piece of the 
meat was put in the pot, and it was 
boiling merrily, when Martin betook him- 
self without delay to the boat to kill the 
cub. 

When he returned from his merciless 
but necessary work, the soup and the 
bear-meat were ready, and our three her- 
mits, after asking God’s blessing, ate their 
frugal, but strengthening meal with feel- 
ings of heartfelt gratitude to God ; whose 
aid had been so manifestly extended to 


THE HERMITS. 


209 


them throughout the day. A very 
comfortable warmth prevailed in the 
room ; and Martin said, smiling, “ that if 
their circumstances should continue to 
be as good, many a poor fellow at home, 
who had neither fire in his stove, nor 
bear-meat in his smoke-house, would be 
inclined to change places with them.” 

“ But,” he added seriously, In truth 
we do not know what hardships and 
severe trials we may yet be obliged to 
encounter. When the winter breaks 
upon us in all its rigor, there are few 
who would be willing to partake of our 
lot.” 

Whatever may come let us not de- 
spair,” said Leo. /‘God’s help will not 
fail us, — the blessing that my mother 
sent after me makes me confident of this. 
Oh Martin ! how unhappy should I now be, 
if I were obliged to suffer the reproaches of 
my own conscience, as well as the physi- 
cal trials that fall to our lot ! Indeed it 
was a blessed idea of my brother’s, to 


14 


210 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


make the flag a means of communication 
from my mother to me !” 

Yes, it was an excellent idea !’^ said 
Martin. A mother’s blessing builds 
her children’s houses, and I believe that 
your mother’s blessing cleared the way to 
this house. Let us rest still more upon 
its efiicacy, and the assistance of our 
heavenly Father, without whose will not 
a sparrow falls to the ground !” 

Conrad said nothing, but, before he 
closed his eyes, he asked God’s assistance 
in keeping his vow nevermore to turn 
from the path of duty, and muttered 
gently to himself : If we ever get back 

to Bremen, I will show both Martin and 
Leo, that a penitent heart, bent on re- 
pairing evil, beats in my breast. You 
have saved my life, Leo ; the future will 
show that you have not saved an in- 
grate !” 




CHAPTER XL 

CAPTAIN BERTRAM. 

ED it was a wearisome, sad 
I perilous life that our adven- 
turers passed in their isolation upon the 
barren island of Spitzbergen. Their days, 
or rather their nights, were passed away 
in fatiguing sameness. Occasionally a 
hunt for bears, seals and reindeer, which 
sometimes made their appearance, intro- 
duced a little variety. 

The remainder of the season was de- 
voted to excursions about the island, and 
to the collection of provisions and water- 
cresses, which could be found at certain 
places under the snow. They had for- 
tunately recovered their rifles, and there 
was a sufficient quantity of powder and 

211 



212 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


ball, to remove all fear for want of am- 
munition, in the boat which they had 
placed alongside of their house. Such a 
want would have been very serious, inas- 
much as they were obliged to depend for 
their food almost entirely upon the results 
of the chase. Martin considered the ne- 
cessity for daily hunting excursions a very 
fortunate circumstance. 

^^For,” said he, ^^if we were abundantly 
supplied with provisions, we should be- 
come too slothful and lazy to take exer- 
cise in the open air, while this protracted 
daily exercise will alone keep our limbs 
supple, and our health in good condition.” 

When there was no wild game, our 
friends carefully examined the shores for 
drift-wood and the timbers of wrecked 
vessels with the view of increasing their 
stock of fuel as much as possible. They 
found enough of this, although they were 
often obliged to consume much strength 
in getting it out of the snow. They car- 
ried many a load on their backs to the 


CAPTAIN BERTRAM. 213 

house, and stored it in the bin, where 
they had found the supply of coal. 

The more wood we have, so much the 
better for us,” Martin often said, when 
they were staggering under their burdens. 
“ So far, we have experienced but little of 
the cold; after a little you will know what 
a polar Winter is, and we shall not have 
to wait long for it.” 

And true enough, with the beginning 
of October, the cold set in, and seemed to 
increase daily, until it became intensely 
severe. Although the house could be 
styled excellent, on account of its favor- 
able location and admirable construction, 
and their stove was kept at a red heat, 
still they were hardly able to make the 
little room comfortably warm. The cold 
could be tolerated only in the immediate 
neighborhood of the stove, and notwith- 
standing this was kept hot day and night, 
the cold air crept in so keenly through 
every little crack in the walls, that liquids 
not standing near the fire were always 
covered with a layer of ice an inch thick. 


214 


LEO REMBEANDT. 


If the door was open only for a second, 
the atmosphere of the room would be so 
chilled, that its moisture was converted 
into snow-flakes, which would fall to the 
floor. 

Of course it was still worse without. The 
moisture of the breath was frozen as soon 
as it came into contact with the air, and 
their limbs required to be thickly covered 
with skins if they were exposed for any 
time to the effects of the penetrating cold. 
In their excursions they were obliged to 
keep closely together, so that one might 
look out for the other, whether his nose 
or ears were frozen, which was shown by 
the waxen-white color they assumed. The 
unfortunate person would not be Conscious 
of the effect, until assistance would be too 
late. When the stifiened part, however, 
was briskly rubbed with a few handsful 
of snow, relief and safety were secured. 

The condition of our friends became 
still worse when, about the middle of Oc- 
tober, the Sun wholly disappeared not to 
return again for a long time. They bit- 


CAPTAIN BERTRAM. 


215 


terly lamented the absence of the cheer- 
ing light of the great luminary, for which 
the lustre of the shining stars and the 
gloomy splendor of the Aurora Borealis 
were meagre substitutes. The cold was 
most severe in November, so that they 
were compelled to remain in the house 
covered up in the skins of the animals 
they had killed, lying with their feet 
towards the red hot stove, and close to- 
gether, in order to preserve their bodily 
warmth in the best manner. 

It was hardly possible then to live out 
of doors, and hunting was not to be 
thought of. In order not to give up all 
exercise, they would run in front of the 
house for half an hour, and then quickly 
return, as neither their active exercise 
nor their warm fur coverings were suffi- 
cient to protect them from the cold for a 
longer period. It was fortunate for them 
that they had laid up food and fuel in 
proper season, as they would have other- 
wise perished from hunger and cold. 

Meanwhile day after day passed away, 


216 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


the weather became somewhat milder, 
and about the end of J anuary, their 
hearts were rejoiced, not by the appear- 
ance of the Sun himself, but by a species 
of twilight, that foretold the return of the 
great luminary. Four weeks, later, a 
small portion of his disk appeared above 
the horizon, and was greeted by our 
friends with shouts of joy, and silent 
prayers of thankfulness. They began to 
hunt again in March, and to renew their 
stock of provisions. They were then so 
fortunate as to kill another polar bear 
and some seals. Being now supplied 
with provisions, they were able to look 
out for the arrival of the vessels, which 
would undoubtedly sail for the whaling 
waters at the beginning -of the season. 
The Lord had preserved them in good 
health, notwithstanding all their hard- 
ships and perils. 

Conrad distinguished himself by his 
zeal, whenever an opportunity offered, 
and he succeeded, once during a hunt, in 
saving the life he had formerly wished to 


CAPTAIN BERTRAM. 


217 


take. He rescued Leo from the grasp of 
a bear that had seized him in its fatal 
embrace. And from that time forth Mar- 
tin and Leo set great store by him. 

April passed away, and May followed ; 
the air became milder ; the immense ice- 
bergs, which covered the sea-shore, fell to 
pieces, and were carried away by wind 
and wave ; the broad expanse of water lay 
open before their eyes, and they gazed 
longingly, day by day out upon the sea, 
trying to discover a sail, which might 
bring them deliverance from their long 
captivity. 

They were often greatly rejoiced when 
a small white cloud appeared above the 
distant horizon, looking exactly like the 
outstretched canvass of a ship, and just 
as often their joy was turned into sad- 
ness, when they found their hopes were 
vain. Birds came in great flocks to build 
their nests along the shore. The sea 
swarmed with its inhabitants, rejoicing 
in the mildness of the season. Whales 
and dolphins sported in the waters. But 


218 


LEO REMBKANDT. 


no vessel could be seen, no flag, no 
streamers fluttering in the breeze. 

They think us dead !” said Leo, half- 
aloud. No one asks after us, and the 
horror of a long, gloomy winter, once 
more threatens us. Oh my poor mother !” 

Patience !” said Martin, consolingly. 

Captain Bertram is a man of honor, and 
will certainly make search for us. A 
thousand circumstances may have delayed 
the passage of a vessel through the Arctic 
sea, and besides, it is still very early in 
the year. We can scarcely count upon 
his appearance before the middle of 
June.” 

Fresh hopes ! Fresh fears. A ship 
appeared above the horizon. It was a 
ship, actually a ship. It could not possi- 
bly be a deception, and our friends wept 
with delight, and embraced each other in 
the excess of their joy. But alas ! the 
ship disappeared again in the distance, 
and their joy was turned into sadness 
and sorrow. 


CAPTAIN BERTRAM. 219 

He will not come !” sighed Conrad and 

Leo. 

^^He will come,” replied Martin, with 
unshaken confidence — that is, if the 
Lord has spared his life. Captain Ber- 
tram will not desert us.” 

Again and again, they passed whole 
'days by the shore, looking always in the 
distance, and awaiting with intense anx- 
iety the friendly vessel. At last the 
evening of the fourteenth of June arrived, 
and Martin himself now shook his head 
sadly, as they returned to the house with 
disappointed hopes, as before. 

^^My lads,” said he, before going to 
sleep, the time has come when we must 
help ourselves. Our boat is in pretty 
good condition. Let us launch it upon 
the water to-morrow, and row out to the 
open sea. Further to the South there 
must be whaling- vessels at this time; with 
God’s assistance, we can reach them with- 
out any disaster, I can’t count upon 
Captain Bertram any longer, or conjec- 
ture the reasons which keep him from us. 


220 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


What think you ? Will you try the ex- 
periment 

Yes, we will !” replied Leo and Con- 
rad. ^^We must make every effort for 
our release, as we could hardly endure a 
second Winter on these shores.” 

Well then, God helping us, let it be 
so !” said Martin. Hold yourselves in * 
readiness for the morning.” 

When a man in great extremity has 
come to a decided conclusion, which he 
believes necessary and indispensable, his 
heart becomes light, and he looks trustingly 
forward to the future. Thus it was with 
our friends. The heavy burden of pain- 
ful expectation, of comfortless hope, was 
removed from their hearts, and for the 
first time in many days they enjoyed a 
quiet, refreshing sleep. 

About early dawn, Martin suddenly 
arose from his sleep. The sound of voices 
had disturbed him, and he thought that 
Leo or Conrad had been talking in their 
dreams. He lay down again. But 
scarcely had he closed his eyes, when he 


CAPTAIN BERTRAM. 


221 


heard the voices again, and this time 
there was no doubt but that there were 
strange voices outside of the house. 

Thanks be to Thee, our heavenly Fa- 
ther !” cried Martin, springing up in the 
ecstacy of joy. ^‘Leo, Conrad, awake! 
Help has come in the night.” 

The two youths awoke, and were on 
their feet in a second. The door was sud- 
denly opened, and, with the exclamation. 
Heaven be thanked, here you are alive 
and well,” Captain Bertram entered the 
room with a countenance radiant with 

joy- 

Martin fell into the Captain’s arms, 
Leo and Conrad laughed in the excess of 
indescribable happiness, wdiich this sur- 
prise assured them, and a loud friendly 
hurrah was given by the boat’s crew, who 
had rowed the Captain ashore, and had 
aided him in searching for the lost men. 

Minutes passed before full hearts could 
find words to express the excess of their 
feelings. At last explanations and state- 
ments were made, and the Captain heard 


222 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


with astonishment the account of the ad- 
ventures and sufferings of our hermits, 
whom the Lord had in mercy so happily 
preserved. Leo inquired, when he re- 
covered his wits, first of all after his mo- 
ther and brother. And his heart beat 
joyously, when he learned that both were 
perfectly well, and were unshaken in 
their hope of embracing their lost son and 
brother once more alive and well. 

The Captain had strengthened their 
hope, because he believed that Martin's 
experience — if he had escaped the teeth 
and claws of the she bear — would con- 
trive ways and means for the preserva- 
tion of himself and his companions in 
misfortune through the Winter. The 
Captain further explained, as Martin had 
supposed, that his 'ship had been irresisti- 
bly driven to the South by the storm and 
waves, and that it would have been the 
greatest rashness in the world, to have 
attempted, at that season of the year, to 
return for the rescue of those left behind. 

On his prosperous arrival in Bremen, 


CAPTAIN BERTRAM. 


223 


lie had reported the unfortunate adven- 
ture to his employer, and expressed the 
belief that Martin, as well as Leo and 
Conrad, were still alive. Thereupon, 
Herr Melchior Bunkendorf had immedi- 
ately ordered that as soon as navigation 
was open in the Spring, an attempt should 
be made to bring our friends from the 
island. They had begun the voyage 
about the end of March, and, but for ad- 
verse winds, would have arrived earlier. 
He had still something more to say to 
his young friend from Herr Liborius, — 
that all were well at home, and the old 
villain Elshoft, had been incapacitated 
from doing them any further injury, as a 
higher J udge had summoned him before 
His infallible tribunal. 

When Conrad heard his father’s death 
announced, he grew red and white by 
turns, and turning away his face pre- 
vented any one observing his emotions. 
Moreover, neither Martin nor Leo had 
said anything about his attempt to save 
his own life in the boat after deserting 


224 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


them, and no one was informed concerning 
this false step of Conrad, which would 
have covered him forever with disgrace 
and ignominy in the eyes of the rough 
but honest and noble-hearted sailors. 
Martin pressed his hand affectionately, 
and whispered to him : Be quite at ease, 
Conrad ! Everything done has been 
buried and forgotten, your brave and 
faithful conduct excepted, which has 
made us friends for all time !” 

Conrad returned the pressure of Mar- 
tin’s hand, and answered him in a low 
tone of voice : I thank you, father 

Martin ! But you shall see, if we get 
back to Bremen safely, that you and Leo 
have no more faithful and reliable friend 
than Conrad Elshoft. I shall always re- 
member this hour, Martin !” 

While this conversation was taking 

O 

place. Captain Bertram and his crew made 
arrangements to return to the Dolphin. 
Our friend’s effects were carried on board. 
Martin left, however, a large supply of 
wood in the bin for the benefit of perhaps 


CAPTAIN BERTRAM. 


225 


some other unfortunate hermits. Captain 
Bertram ordered a few hundred weight of 
coal, and then all again betook themselves 
to the boat, and returned to the Dolphin. 

Martin was a rough, stern, weather- 
beaten, old sea bear. But when he trod 
once more the planks of the good ship, 
from which he had been absent for so long 
and trying a time ; when he looked once 
more upon the familiar objects which had 
become dear to him from long association; 
when he approached the wheel and 
grasped its spokes with his powerful hand, 
as though he was pressing the hand of an 
old friend after a painful separation, — -then 
the feeling of happiness overpowered him, 
and tears, actually tears, rolled down his 
brown, furrowed cheeks. 

Leo and Conrad also wept, but their 
tears were only manifestations of their 
happiness, and the offerings of gratitude 
which the rescued rendered to Heaven 
with peaceful and deeply-affected hearts. 
The Lord had marvellously preserved 
them, and had communicated to them His 
15 


226 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


richest blessings in the midst of their sor- 
row. That alone was worth a whole life 
of thankfulness. But Leo was to find a 
still greater manifestation of God’s good- 
ness. It was to be made clear to him 
that an occurrence, which had kept him so 
long from home, would turn out to be the 
immediate cause of a happiness of which 
he hadn’t the slightest conception. 

Thus we foolish, short-sighted mortals, 
often consider that a grievous misfortune 
which in fact is intended, according to 
the wise and inscrutable plan of God, to 
guide us to our true prosperity. 

If the God of love and mercy imposes 
a burden upon us, it is for our own hap- 
piness to bear it. 




CHAPTER XII. 

CONCLUSION. 


T was a glorious evening in Sep- 
tember, when a vessel, with 
-reefed sails, was slowly approach- 
ing the shore, opposite to a high point, 
from which a pretty little house, imbedded 
in grape-vines, looked down, pleasant and 
attractive. When the vessel was about 
a quarter of a mile from the beach, a boat 
was launched, and a sturdy lad, whose 
eyes sparkled with joy, leaped dexterously 
into it. An older man followed him, 
somewhat more slowly, and placed him- 
self at the prow, while the younger took 
his place at the stern, grasped the oars 
with singular haste, and dipped them 
straightway into the water. 



double 


227 


228 LEO REMBRANDT. 

“A happy journey, and a happy meet- 
ing !” cried out a voice from the forward 
deck of the ship, to the men in the 
boat. I hope to see you soon again, my 
children !” 

Certainly, Captain Bertram,” replied the 
lad’s comrade in the boat. Before eight 
days pass around we will come to Bremen 
to draw our pay. Till then, good-by !” 

A hurrah was sent from the vessel after 
the party leaving, the reefs were then 
loosened, and the Dolphin, with a favor- 
ing breeze, flew with the swiftness of the 
wind, in spite of its heavy lading, towards 
the mouth of the Weser. 

The boat, whose crew will be recog- 
nized by our readers as old acquaintances, 
drew near the shore with steady strokes 
of the oars, and was steered precisely to 
the point, over which the little house 
stood. Soon the sand grated against the 
keel ; Martin sprang out, fastened it to a 
stake, afid extended his hand to his young 
friend, who had followed him quickly. 

Welcome, Leo, to the fatherland!” 


CONCLUSION. 


229 


he said, affectionately. It is truly the 
blessing of God which has brought us 
safe and sound back again. What joy 
your mother will feel at your unexpected 
return !” 

Yes, indeed, Martin !’' replied Leo, 
whose voice trembled with joyous excite- 
ment. And Willy also. He is cer- 
tainly at home, for there is the dear old 
boat, in which I have gone fishing so 
often, lying at the bank. Still I tremble. 
If mother is only alive and well !’' 

Don’t doubt it, my lad !” replied 
Martin confidently, as the two ascend- 
ed the hill. A few minutes more 
and you will rest on her bosom. Ah! 
there is the house already I” 

Leo increased his speed : he breathed 
quickly, his cheeks burned, his eyes 
flashed, his heart beat rapidly in the ex- 
cessive joy of his return. Everything 
seemed quiet and peaceful in the house ; 
there was no change except perhaps that 
the grape-vine twined more luxuriantly 
about the windows, which was glowing 


230 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


with the rays of the setting sun. The 
front door was open, and one of the shut- 
ters also stood ajar to allow the refresh- 
ing breeze to enter. Leo entered the 
door quickly, and looked into the room 
where his mother was usually to be 
found. It was empty. He hurried out 
into the garden. There he saw his 
brother with a spade. 

Willy ! Brother Willy !” he cried. 

The lad looked up; a flash of joy 
lighted his face, he dropped his spade, 
and threw himself into Leo’s extended 
arms, on Leo’s breast, with the cry of. 
Brother ! My Brother !” 

And God has brought you home then 
safely, my dear, dear brother,” shouted 
Willy. Oh mother and I have prayed 
for you every day, and have begged the 
Lord to protect you ; and see, now, here 
you are handsomer, and sturdier than 
ever. How happy mother will be, when 
she sees you. Come quick and see her !” 

Then mother is alive ? Is she well ? 
and does she still love me ?” asked Leo. 


. CONCLUSION. 


231 


Alive, well, and full of love for you,” 
replied Willy. ^ “ How can you doubt it ? 
Come, come! You will find her cer- 
tainly in your little garret room. She is 
often there, especially in the evening, 
thinking of you. Come, Leo 1” 

The two lads turned to go to the house ; 
but as they turned around they met her, 
and Leo fairly screamed : My motlier 1” 
Yes, it was his mother. There she 
stood in the door — pale, and trembling. 
A tear was in her eye, but a smile upon 
her lips, and infinite tenderness in the 
glance which she cast upon Leo. 

She extended her arms, but she was 
too weak to take a step towards him. 
The indescribable blessing of his return 
had overpowered her. But Leo was at 
her side in an instant, and his arms en- 
circled her frail form. ^^My mother!” 

My dear, dear son !” These were the 
only words that their trembling lips 
uttered. Then the mother wept, kissed 
her long absent son, and gently whis- 
pered : Thanks, thanks, 0 Lord, for this 


232 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


happiness ! My boy, my dear boy, once 
more rests on my bosom !’' 

Willy stood by his mother’s side weep- 
ing and pressing his brother’s hand, 
which he had seized and would not let 
go. Old Martin, rubbing his rough 
hands over his moist eyes, said, Well, 
God knows it — but for such a reunion I 
would spend another winter in Spitzber- 
gen. This is the joy which the angels in 
heaven might delight to witness.” 

Indeed it was a deep, all-pervading joy 
that filled the hearts of these happy 
people. It was so deep and all-pervading 
that it sweetened the recollection of the 
bitter minutes and hours of their separa- 
tion and sorrow, the sleepless, anxiously 
wakeful nights of the mother and the se- 
vere privations and perils of the son. All, 
all was forgotten in those few moments of 
rapturous delight. 

When night was closing around them, 
Leo recollected for the first time, his faith- 
ful companion, and told his mother and 


CONCLUSION. 233 

brother, in a few words, what he owed to 
the friendship of the brave Martin. 

It was then to them as though the 
honest Pilot were a member of the family, 
and he became quite confused under the 
warm expressions of affection and love 
which came from them all. To conceal 
his emotion, he blustered out- some rough 
sailors’ jokes, and only resumed his ha- 
bitual, quiet calmness, when he was 
speaking of the sad days of the past, and 
describing the sufferings and perils they 
had undergone. Then he talked away 
rapidly, and lost no opportunity to set 
forth with much commendation, the cour- 
age, bravery, and endurance of his young 
friend, Leo. 

Five or six days passed away very ra- 
pidly, when Martin said in the evening, 
that it was time to go to Bremen, as his 
furlough was nearly at an end. Leo also 
must go along to draw his own pay. The 
mother inquired anxiously whether Leo 
intended to continue on the vessel, and 
was happy in learning that he designed 


234 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


leaving it to return home and resume his 
old employment, as fisherman. Their de- 
parture for Bremen was fixed for the next 
day, and Martin was made to promise 
that he would spend the next winter with 
his young friend’s family; which promise 
he gave willingly. 

As they were eating an early breakfast, 
the next morning, Martin suddenly hear- 
ing the rolling of a carriage, hastened to 
the window, and remarked that it was 
steering directly for the house. The rest 
came to the window in astonishment. 
The carriage rolled rapidly up the hill, 
stopped at the door, and out of it sprang, 
to the surprise of Martin and Leo, Conrad 
Elshoft — the companion of their suffer- 
ings. At first glance, they scarcely knew 
him. He was dressed fashionably, and an 
unusual paleness covered his face. How- 
ever they ran out quickly, and, after a 
hearty shaking of hands, brought him 
into the house. 

What wind blows you here, Conrad?” 
said Martin, after the new-comer had 


CONCLUSION. 


235 


been introduced to Leo’s mother and 
brother. I imagined that you would 
be taking your ease with your relatives in 
Elsfeldt, but here you come, sailing along 
with two horses and a strange rigging. 
What news do you bring ? Good news, 
I hope.” 

“ Good for Leo and his family, even if 
sad and very humiliating to me,” replied 
Conrad, in a low, depressed tone. came 
to beg your pardon, and to make restitu- 
tion for past injury. Yes,” he continued 
in a louder tone, I will make restitution 
and confess my own faults, although I 
should draw down your contempt and 
hatred upon my head by doing so.” 

^^He who confesses his sins, forsakes 
and tries to atone for them in the blood 
of Christ, need expect no contempt from 
honest men,” said Martin. Speak out 
freely, my lad! We learned to know 
you as a good comrade, and therefore you 
can rely upon our friendship. Is it not 
so, Leo?” 

Leo, instead of giving an answer, seized 


236 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Conrad’s hand affectionately, and the lat- 
ter breathed more freely at this manifes- 
tation of attachment. 

Well, then,” he said, listen to my 
confession, and be gentle in your judgment 
upon a penitent sinner. I must acknow- 
ledge that I told you an untruth, when I 
said that I was not the son of the man, 
who had been the cause of so much un- 
happiness to this good woman. That 
man Elshoft was my father, and I am his 
legitimate son and heir.” 

Martin shook his head sadly, Willy 
knit his brow, and the mother looked 
anxiously at Leo. The latter, however, 
said mildly : Do not condemn him ! It 
was not Conrad who inflicted sorrow and 
suffering upon us, and he must not be 
made answerable for his father’s acts.” 

That’s true,” said Martin, frankly. 

It wasn’t your fault that you were 
obliged to be ashamed of your father. In 
this particular, you are to be pitied but 
not condemned, my lad. You were very 
wrong, however, in telling the untruth. 


CONCLUSION. 237 

for truth is always an obligation. But, 
what else is there 

On my return to my father’s house,” 
Conrad continued in a more vigorous tone 
of voice, I examined my father’s books 
and papers, and found that he — that he — 
yes, the truth must come out — that he 
had deceived you, my good woman. The 
lost vessel, the Uranus, had beep insured 
for eighty thousand dollars, and the 
amount paid for the insurance, as this 
paper shows, was divided equally between 
your husband and my father. Receive 
now from my hands your property with 
the legal interest due thereon. These 
papers, which you can readily convert 
into money, have been drawn for the full 
amount due you.” 

All were speechless, while Conrad 
handed the package of papers to Leo’s 
mother. Martin at last broke the silence; 
standing up and pressing Conrad’s hand 
as though it were a vice, he said : Lad, 
you are an honest fellow ! Old Martin de- 
clares this, and woe be to him who doubts 


238 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


it. What you may have done otherwise 
in thought against us, I, for my part, 
pardon you from the bottom of my soul.’’ 

^^Oh no, oh no — first hear all, and 
then — pronounce sentence !” replied Con- 
rad, with tremulous voice. Another 
crime, or at least an attempt to commit 
it, weighs upon my conscience. Do you 
recollect that Leo fell overboard, at his 
first assault on the first whale we attacked? 
It was I who gave the boat such a shove 
that he was compelled to fall. I hoped 
that he would meet his death in the 
waves, so that my father and myself 
might be spared the disgrace of the dis- 
covery of the fraud. God in His mercy 
frustrated my design, but I am guilty of 
the crime and ready to suffer any punish- 
ment you may impose upon me.” 

Oh Conrad !” cried Leo, embracing 
the penitent lad — You have made sufii- 
cient restitution by acknowledging your 
guilt. And, besides, did you not save 
my life in the struggle with the polar 
bear, and that must be reckoned as sufii- 


CONCLUSION. 


239 


cient atonement. I have no grudge 
against you, Conrad, and God, who looks 
into our hearts, knows that I esteem you 
now dearer and better than ever! No, 
no, you have made atonement enough for 
me.” 

The mother and Willy spoke in the 
same strain, and a heavy load seemed to 
have been ' removed from Conrad’s op- 
pressed heart. He breathed freely, and 
looking upwards, said : As you, whom 
I have so grievously injured, pardon me, 
I hope God, in His infinite mercy, for the 
sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Saviour, 
will also pardon my numerous offences 1 
I feel myself free and happy, and will lift 
up my heart to God with fresh hope. 
May He bless you, for your mild judg- 
ment! You have made me a happy 
man ! 

Renewed assurances of true, unalloyed 
dove and friendship followed this outburst 
of feeling from Conrad. Leo took the 
papers, and held them in his hand, some- 
what undecided. 


240 


LEO REMBRANDT. 


Conrad/’ he said, after a brief pause, 
I must take some of this money, to les- 
sen the troubles of life for my dear 
mother, but if you are in need of money, 
take half of the whole, and keep it.” 

No, I do not need it,” replied Conrad. 
My father, although he always repre- 
sented himself as a poor man, left behind 
him a large property. I need nothing 
but your forgiveness and friendship.” 

That you have, and the future will 
show that it is given from the heart,” 
said Leo. He who repents, and makes 
restitution, as you have done, richly de- 
serves the friendship of all good men. 
But let us all return thanks to the Lord. 
He was blessing us when He seemed to be 
punishing us with sufferings, hardships, 
and trials, and there has been literally 
fulfilled in us what the Apostle says : 
^ Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth.’ ” 
All reflected in silence over these 
words, and a deep, firm, and unshaken 
trust in the Lord God was the most beau- 
tiful fruit of the sufferings which they 


CONCLUSION. 


241 


had undergone with patient hearts. The 
'blessing did not fail them. The way of 
their earthly pilgrimage was still a long 
one, adorned by those bright flowers, 
which spring upi from the fruitful soil of 
true Christian piety and uprightness. 
Virtuously follow in all your life the pre- 
cepts of our divine Lord and Saviour, 
Jesus Christ. 



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